Yamal’s Journey: Reaching Messi’s Heights or Repeating Neymar’s Mistakes?

After months of anticipation, Lamine Yamal has finally signed a new six-year contract with Barcelona. This deal makes him the highest-paid player in Hansi Flick’s squad, earning €30 million per year. It is a reward for his incredible contributions during the 2024-25 season, where he played a key role in the team’s domestic treble success. Most importantly, Yamal has been given the iconic number 10 jersey, previously worn by Lionel Messi. The jersey became vacant after Ansu Fati, who was on loan at Monaco, failed to live up to its historic significance.

No Fear, No Pressure

"I don’t feel pressure. I’m at the best club in the world. Messi made his own path, and I’ll make mine," Yamal told Barcelona’s official media channel.

His fearless attitude has set him apart since his rapid rise in the team. Unlike many young players, Yamal shows no hesitation in following the footsteps of legends like Messi, Ronaldinho, Romário, and Diego Maradona. Before even turning 18 on July 13, he had already scored 74 goals for club and country, won four major trophies, including the European Championship, and could become the youngest Ballon d’Or winner by the end of the year.

If he continues on this path, his success will have no limits. However, he must avoid repeating the mistakes of Neymar, who was once at a similar peak in Catalonia.

The Controversial Birthday Party

Yamal’s new contract was somewhat overshadowed by his extravagant 18th birthday party. Reports say around 200 guests attended the event at a house in Olivella, including musicians, influencers, and teammates like Robert Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, and Raphinha.

The party featured a cocktail bar, gourmet catering, and a massive cake decorated with chocolate pistols and fake money, following an "Italian Mafia" theme. Yamal himself wore an all-white suit with a diamond-encrusted cane and red roses, adding to the glamour.

However, controversy erupted when a video surfaced showing a group of little people (dwarfs) arriving at the party. Yamal was accused of hiring them for entertainment, which Spain’s Association of People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (AEE) called "unacceptable in the 21st century." The AEE filed a complaint with the Spanish government, demanding an investigation into whether the rights of disabled individuals were violated.

One entertainer, who claimed to be present at the party, defended Yamal in a radio interview: "No one disrespected us. We worked peacefully. I don’t understand the uproar. We are normal people who do legal work as entertainers. Why can’t we do this job just because of our physical condition? We know our limits and would never cross them. We’re not circus monkeys."

Still, the incident was a serious misstep for Yamal and could leave a lasting stain on his reputation.

Is Neymar a Bad Influence?

According to Spanish journalist Pipi Estrada, Barcelona is "very concerned" about Yamal’s off-field behavior. The young star was seen vacationing with OnlyFans model Fati Bajkovic and even met former Barça star Neymar at his home.

Yamal posted pictures on social media from his trip to Brazil, showing him playing football with Neymar, relaxing by a pool, and swapping jerseys with the Al-Hilal forward, who is currently trying to rebuild his career after injuries. However, there are worries that Neymar might be a "bad influence" on Yamal.

During his time at Barcelona (2013-2017), Neymar built a reputation as a party-loving player, which spiraled out of control after his world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. In France, he made more headlines for his nightclub appearances than his performances on the pitch and was often criticized for a lack of commitment.

While some criticism was unfair due to his injury struggles, there’s no doubt Neymar failed to justify his €222 million price tag. In this sense, he may not be the best role model for Yamal as the youngster takes on greater responsibility at Barcelona.

Neymar won La Liga and the Champions League at Barça, forming part of the legendary "MSN" trio with Messi and Luis Suárez. Yet, many believe he never reached his full potential—whether due to mental struggles or an inability to balance work and play.

Yamal’s Response

Yamal brushed off criticism of his birthday party, saying: "I work for Barcelona, but when I’m off the training ground, I enjoy my life." While this is fair, he must remain careful not to let distractions affect his game. If his performance drops and Barcelona’s results suffer, he could face the same backlash Neymar did.

At just 18, Yamal is still maturing physically and mentally. However, since he’s already among football’s elite, he will be judged as an adult. Fortunately, he has a strong support system.

According to BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balagué, Yamal’s parents play a crucial role in "keeping his feet on the ground." They have not only nurtured his talent but also instilled in him the importance of hard work and excellence.

"My ambition is simple: to win every day and keep improving—I’m still young, and there’s a long way to go," Yamal added during his contract signing. As long as he maintains this mindset, his future—and Barcelona’s—looks very bright.

Yamal vs. Messi: A Comparison

Yamal has the competitive spirit needed to become a legend, but he also plays with a carefree flair that makes him thrilling to watch. This is why he’s compared to Messi, who was similarly daring and creative in his early years. However, the Argentine was always calm and never sought controversy.

In contrast, Yamal loves the spotlight. Reports suggest he’s one of the loudest personalities in Barcelona’s dressing room and doesn’t hesitate to provoke rivals or critics on social media.

While Messi took time to adjust to fame, Yamal seems completely at ease with it. This confidence suggests he’s ahead of where Messi was at his age.

In fact, Yamal has already played 200 more minutes for Barcelona than Messi had by age 21. At 18, Messi had just one professional goal and no assists, whereas Yamal has 25 goals, 34 assists, and 21 caps for Spain.

These stats are incredible, but what’s even more impressive is that Barcelona already relies on Yamal as a key inspiration, something that wasn’t the case for Messi until Ronaldinho left.

The Future Looks Bright

Players like Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Pedri helped Barcelona win La Liga and the Copa del Rey while reaching the Champions League semifinals, but Yamal received the most praise.

Some of his performances were electrifying, including his display against Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League tie. The match ended 3-3, but Yamal terrorized Inter’s defense from start to finish, scoring a stunning solo goal, hitting the post twice, completing six successful take-ons, and touching the ball 102 times.

"Lamine is a once-in-50-years talent," former Inter manager Simone Inzaghi said after the game. Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand declared on TNT Sports: "As a pure football talent, Lamine Yamal is on another level compared to any player in Europe’s top five leagues." That night, no one could disagree.

Despite all the praise, it’s remarkable that Yamal doesn’t have Cristiano Ronaldo’s level of ego. He is confident but retains Messi’s endearing humility.

"The truth is, I don’t care about criticism or praise unless it comes from my family or close ones," he told reporters. "Otherwise, one day I’m on top, and the next I’m at the bottom."

With this mindset, Yamal has every chance to reach Messi’s heights, and avoid Neymar’s pitfalls.