The whole world is talking about Lamine Yamal. Everyone is comparing him to Lionel Messi.
But Yamal himself is trying not to compare himself to the legend.
I'm just trying to be Lamine, he says.
Lamine Yamal is the name on everyone's lips right now. At 16 years old, he has been a sensation in Spain's acclaimed European Championship offense.
In the semifinal against France, he scored a dream goal and became the youngest goal scorer in European Championship history. Now Yamal – who turns 17 on Saturday – will play the European Championship final against England on Sunday.
With his low center of gravity, sharp left foot, and connection to club team Barcelona, it's very many who compare him to a certain Lionel Messi. In an interview with Spanish Marca, Yamal talks about the comparisons to the Argentine icon.
It never helps to compare yourself to the best players in history. No one will ever be like him, says the birthday boy.
During the European Championship, a picture of Yamal and Messi has also taken the internet by storm. As a baby, Yamal was even rocked to sleep by Messi, something that was photographed for a charity calendar from UNICEF.
The picture from 2007 got new life during the European Championship and was shared by Yamal's father with the text "The beginning for two legends."
I'm trying to be myself so that people will feel me as Lamine Yamal, says the star.
The Spanish men's national team is chasing its first title since the European Championship gold in 2012. England is chasing its first European Championship title on the men's side ever.
The final will be played at 21.00 on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
