PRESS BOX: Lamine Yamal will be one of the greats, if he makes the right choices

Ethan York, Staff Writer

The biggest sport in the world tends to bring in the biggest stars. Soccer has shined a light on larger-than-life legends across generations like Pele, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. 

FC Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is pegged to be the star of the next generation, already tabbed as one of the best in the world at only 18 years old. However, his young career already stands at a crossroads — while many fans hope he will blossom into the next Messi, he is starting to closely resemble one of soccer’s biggest fallen angels: Neymar Jr.

Yamal follows in Neymar’s footsteps in more ways than one. Both players debuted for Barcelona in their teens and were known for their flashy playstyle, ability to create in front of goal and unparalleled scoring. 

Neymar saw lots of success at a young age, and Yamal is no different. He already has an impressive resume, winning two La Liga titles, the 2024 UEFA European Championships with the Spanish National team and being a front runner for this year’s Ballon d’Or award.

Neymar is a former world-class star, whose time in Barcelona was plagued with problems off the field with his partying, relations with various women and lack of attention to his own training. 

The Brazilian was tabbed as the next great star, often included in conversations alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi — some of the best to ever do it. However, his antics and troubling behavior led to his potential never being realized. 

These are real troubles for Yamal as well, and ones that need to be addressed immediately; especially at his young age.

It first became noticeable when both players met up this year for the summer holiday back in June. Yamal — who was 17-years-old at the time — was photographed on a speed boat with an OnlyFans model who was 12 years his senior. 

Soon after was his infamous 18th birthday party. Yamal hired people with dwarfism for entertainment and paid women he deemed attractive to come celebrate with him, which led to an investigation by the Spanish government, according to CNN.

While Yamal’s actions are certainly condemnable and shouldn’t be treated lightly, it’s also very important to remember he is young and was thrust into a position of immense fame and wealth.

Messi is one athlete to look to as a figurative shoulder angel for Yamal. As arguably the greatest player to ever grace a pitch, Messi is beloved by the world and has faced few controversies in his life, despite dealing with fame early on in his career.

Yamal needs to use his resources at Barcelona. Finding mentorship in his veteran teammate Raphinha and Barca’s manager Hansi Flick — who has always looked out for his players wellbeing — is the best start.

While Yamal’s actions could be brushed off as harmless irresponsibility, there are still young players who don’t face this type of criticism, and they don’t even carry the weight of wearing Barcelona’s number 10 — a number usually reserved for the very best.

Yamal also has several young teammates he can try and follow, like national teammate Nico Williams and Barcelona teammate Pedri, who is quiet off the pitch but loud on the field, is beloved by fans without controversy and is quickly becoming a legend.

Yamal has a lot to atone for, but if he looks for guidance in the right people, he can move forward.

He has already taken the right steps to changing, as he broke up with his former girlfriend, Argentine rapper Nicki Nicole, who is seven years his senior. The less distractions and more concentration he shows on the field, the better.

Right now, the star boy is at a crossroads, and whichever one he goes down can change his career — and his life — for better or for worse.