Barcelona ace, Lamine Yamal has shared why Neymar was his idol growing up, rather than Lionel Messi.
Yamal, who joined La Masia at the age of six in 2014, witnessed Barcelona’s Champions League victory in his first year at the club’s youth academy.
During that period, the famed ‘MSN’ trio of Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suárez led the team’s attack. This was also the last time the Catalan club claimed the prestigious European title.
The teenage star who is now a key player under Hansi Flick, revealed that Neymar was his idol during his childhood and expressed his astonishment when he met the Brazilian legend in person. Despite often being compared to Messi, Yamal admitted that Neymar has always been his favourite.
In an interview with CNN Sport, the Spanish international said: “I was five years old when I saw him at Santos, but seven years old when I saw him in person at FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou. It was incredible to see him. Yes, it’s true that Lionel Messi was there, who was also incredible, but Neymar was something entirely different. Neymar has always been my idol. He’s a star, a football legend.”
As for what lies ahead for Yamal, the young talent, who suffered an injury during Barcelona’s match against Leganes in December, is recovering and is expected to return to the squad for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia.
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