Lamine Yamal Tipped to Surpass Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or Record After Inheriting Iconic No.10 Shirt

Barcelona’s “PlayStation” Prodigy Lamine Yamal Backed to Be Even Better Than Messi

In the football world, few names have generated as much buzz at such a young age as Lamine Yamal. Now just 17, the Barcelona and Spain sensation is already being spoken about in the same breath as Lionel Messi, the club’s all-time great. With the legendary No.10 shirt soon to be his and a new lucrative contract on the horizon, some are predicting that the teenager could not only emulate Messi’s career—but surpass it.

Former Barcelona midfielder Emmanuel Petit is one of those lending his voice to the growing chorus of admiration. Speaking to Escapist Magazine, Petit described Yamal as a “PlayStation footballer”—a player who seems almost unreal with the ball at his feet. The Frenchman went as far as to suggest that Yamal could one day eclipse Messi’s incredible haul of eight Ballon d’Or titles.

From La Masia to La Liga Stardom

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Lamine Yamal is the latest prodigy to emerge from La Masia, the famed Barcelona academy that also produced Messi. Much like the Argentine icon, Yamal has made his breakthrough at a remarkably young age. In the past year alone, he’s not only become a La Liga regular but also helped Barcelona win a domestic treble—cementing his place in the club’s history books before turning 18.

Already capped by the Spanish national team, Yamal played a key role in Spain’s European Championship triumph and is now being viewed as the face of both his club and country’s future.

The club plans to reward his rapid rise with a contract extension on his 18th birthday, July 13, tying him down for the long term. But more symbolic is the news that he will inherit the No.10 shirt—once worn by Messi, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo—a sacred number at Camp Nou.

A Footballer Beyond His Years

“He dribbles past players like it’s the PlayStation,” Petit remarked. “He makes defenders look like cones. Every time he touches the ball, something happens. You’d think he was 28 and in his prime.”

Petit isn’t the only one to have noticed Yamal’s extraordinary composure and maturity on the ball. Managers, teammates, and pundits alike have praised his technical ability, game intelligence, and instinctive flair. In an era where hype often outweighs substance, Yamal is proving that he’s the real deal—consistently delivering on the pitch week in and week out.

For Petit, Yamal’s ambition is also striking. “I think the Ballon d’Or is his main reason for wanting the number 10,” he said. “He is 17 and already thinking about it. He is a tremendous footballer.”

Can Yamal Beat Messi’s Ballon d’Or Haul?

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It’s a bold prediction to make—that anyone could surpass Lionel Messi’s eight Ballon d’Or titles. Yet with Yamal’s career trajectory so far, the idea doesn’t seem entirely outlandish.

Winning the Ballon d’Or is about more than just individual brilliance. It requires sustained excellence, team success, and a certain intangible magic that captures the imagination of fans and journalists alike. Messi had all of that in abundance. But Yamal, with his combination of skill, charisma, and maturity, is showing early signs that he might have it too.

Much will depend on his ability to stay fit, maintain focus, and continue evolving as the game around him changes. But with the foundations laid and the spotlight already on him, the opportunity is there.

The Weight of the No.10 Shirt

For any young player, wearing the No.10 shirt at Barcelona is a monumental responsibility. It’s not just a number—it’s a legacy. Messi made the number his own for over a decade, leading Barcelona to domestic and European glory while redefining what was possible in football.

Now, it falls to Yamal to continue that tradition. The club clearly believes he has the temperament and talent to live up to that expectation. And perhaps more importantly, so does he.

There’s something fitting about the seamless passing of the torch. Messi, who broke onto the scene with dazzling footwork and boundless ambition, now watches from afar as another gifted left-footer takes up the mantle.

What’s Next for Lamine Yamal?

While PSG star Ousmane Dembele may currently be the favorite for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Yamal’s name is firmly in the conversation. His performances in La Liga, the Spanish Cup, and Europe last season were vital in Barcelona’s treble-winning campaign. Should he build on that with another standout season, a Ballon d’Or nomination seems almost inevitable.

For now, though, Yamal remains grounded. Those close to the player insist that he is focused on his development and hungry to keep improving.

As Petit concluded: “He has such a high ceiling. He could become even better than Messi.”

Whether that prophecy comes true or not remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: with the No.10 shirt on his back and the footballing world at his feet, Lamine Yamal is ready to write his own chapter in Barcelona’s storied history.