Lamine Yamal’s dreams of making history by becoming one of the youngest players ever to win the UEFA Champions League were cut short after Barcelona was eliminated by Inter Milan. Despite this disappointment, the exceptionally talented youngster, born in 2007, continues to be seen as a major candidate for the prestigious 2025 Ballon d’Or award, according to several trustworthy sources in the football world.
Inter Milan’s players felt a sense of accomplishment in containing Yamal’s dynamic style of play and his ability to surprise opponents, especially after he delivered an impressive performance during the first leg of their match-up. Although Yamal is still early in his career and has a lot of room to grow, most football analysts agree that he is currently at his best when playing on the right wing. This position allows him to cut inside the field and use his strong left foot to create dangerous plays, which has become one of his trademark moves. Yamal, who comes from a Guinean and Moroccan background but represents Spain, is quickly earning recognition for his skills and potential.
However, not everyone agrees with how he is currently being used on the field. Dutch football legend Marco van Basten, a former star for AC Milan, recently shared a different perspective during an interview on Ziggo Sport. Van Basten believes that Yamal could be even more effective if he were moved from the wing to a central attacking position, similar to how Lionel Messi played during his prime.
“I don’t think it makes sense to leave such a talented player on the wing where he doesn’t get as many touches of the ball,” Van Basten explained. “If he played more through the middle of the field, he could influence the game much more.”
Van Basten highlighted Yamal’s wide-ranging abilities, including his talent for scoring goals, delivering dangerous crosses, and creating scoring chances for teammates. He emphasized that a player with Yamal’s extraordinary abilities should be placed in a central role, where he can be more involved and make a bigger impact throughout the game.
At the same time, veteran Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos also praised the young prodigy, stating, “Honestly, Lamine Yamal is incredibly hard to stop at the moment.”
