Yamal Becomes Talk Of Town, Steals Show At Barca-Inter Clash

By Olusegun Ajileye

Barca and Inter Milan ended up drawing 3-3 in their epic first-leg encounter of Champions League semi-final ties.

Teenage Barcelona forward, Lamine Yamal who put in a performance a 17-year-old Messi could only have dreamed of in one of the all-time great Champions League semi-final ties said he would not compare himself to Lionel Messi.

All eyes are focussing on the 17-year-old Yamal, who scored his 22nd goal on his landmark 100th Barcelona game.

The remarkable stat being widely shared post-match was a direct comparison with the two greatest players of this generation at the same age – Messi, who had one goal in nine appearances at 17 and Cristiano Ronaldo, who had five goals in 19 appearances before he was 18.

Yamal put on a masterclass, especially in the first half to inspire a superb comeback after Inter had led 2-0 by the 21st minute.

Yamal claimed a classy Champions League semi-final goal to go with one in the Euro 2024 last four last summer, already one of the best players in the world – and before he even turns 18.

A sports pundit, Ally McCoist said he don’t think he have ever seen a 45 minutes like that from one individual before in his life, saying “it is unbelievable”

Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi gave Yamal the highest of praise afterwards.

“Lamine is the kind of talent that comes along every 50 years, and to see him up close really impressed me,” he said.

“He caused us huge problems because we were supposed to double up on him and it was not enough.”

Also, Barca boss Hansi Flick said: “He’s special, he’s a genius. In the big matches, he shows up.

“If it only comes every 50 years like Simone said, I’m glad it’s for Barcelona.”

Another sports pundit, Stephen Warnock called him “a future Ballon d’Or winner”.

One of the games of the season has everyone excited about the second leg at the San Siro in Milan next week.

Meanwhile, visiting full-back Denzel Dumfries involved in all three Inter goals, scoring twice, and being named man of the match.

It led to him being called “a genius”, “a cheat code” and “a phenomenal talent”.