However, Yamal himself is keen to distance himself from the "Messi 2.0" moniker. Furthermore, he doesn't subscribe to the notion that Inter Milan had some sort of tactical lock on the Argentine maestro. Despite this, the young Spaniard undoubtedly harbors the desire to find the back of the net against the Italian giants and propel Barcelona to their first European final in a decade.
"I don’t want to be compared to any player, much less Messi. He is the best in the world," Yamal stated emphatically during his inaugural news conference at Barcelona's training grounds on Tuesday, a significant moment during one of the most pivotal weeks of his burgeoning career.
Referencing Messi's scoreless record against Inter, Yamal remarked with a blend of respect and ambition, "So what if Messi never scored against Inter? He scored against so many teams, and I sure hope I can score tomorrow." The anecdote of a young Yamal once being held in Messi's arms adds a layer of poignant history to this upcoming encounter.
Sporting a newly dyed blond hairstyle, the teenager, widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in global football, conveyed a singular focus on contributing to his team's pursuit of a coveted treble of titles.
Century Mark in Blaugrana
Remarkably, despite still being over two months shy of his 18th birthday, the match against Inter Milan will mark Yamal's 100th appearance for Barcelona's senior team. This milestone underscores his rapid ascent and integral role within the squad.
"Not everyone can play that many games at age 18, so I am proud of that," he acknowledged, adding that the initial nervousness he experienced upon breaking into the elite ranks has now dissipated.
The Champions League semifinal stands as the most significant match of Yamal's career thus far for Barcelona, rivaled only by the recent Copa del Rey final triumph against arch-rivals Real Madrid on Saturday. In that thrilling Clasico, Yamal showcased his creative brilliance by providing two crucial assists: one for Pedri González's opening goal and another for Ferran Torres' late equalizer, which ultimately propelled Barcelona to a 3-2 victory in extra time.
Reflecting on that comeback win, Yamal revealed a moment of unwavering confidence, stating he told a teammate that regardless of how many goals Madrid scored, "they can’t hang with us this season."
Now, Yamal will carry that same swagger into the clash against Inter Milan, a side renowned for its formidable defense, having registered a Champions League-leading eight clean sheets this campaign. While Barcelona boasts the competition's most potent attack with 37 goals, compared to Inter's 19, Yamal has directly contributed with four goals and four assists.
"Everyone knows that Inter is a great defensive team and good on the counter," Yamal acknowledged. "We will have to be good with the ball and play like we know how to as a team."
The victor of this two-legged semifinal will advance to face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the Champions League final, scheduled to take place in Munich on May 31st.
Age Merely a Digit
Yamal burst onto the scene last season, shattering records, including becoming La Liga's youngest-ever scorer at just 16 years old. His meteoric rise continued into the summer, where he etched his name in European Championship history as the youngest scorer, netting a stunning goal in the semifinals against France before Spain ultimately triumphed over England in the final on his 17th birthday.
His stellar form has persisted this season for Barcelona, contributing significantly with 14 goals and 24 assists across all competitions, playing a key role in the team's pursuit of the La Liga title. Adding another remarkable feat to his burgeoning list of achievements, he recently became the youngest player to ever score in a Clasico.
Yamal is seemingly unfazed by his rapid ascent, brushing aside any concerns that his success might be occurring too quickly at such a young age.
"I think soccer is not about age, it is about talent and mentality of each player," he asserted. "Age is just a number."