World ovation for Lamine Yamal: his Champions League display against Inter goes round the world

Lamine Yamal experienced against Inter Milan (3-3) in the first leg of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League semifinals, one of those matches that defines a career. The young winger from Mataró, who scored a stunning goal to make it 1-2 at the time, delivered a stellar performance against the ‘Nerazzurri’.

Unstoppable in one-on-one situations and always a threat, he drove one of Europe's most solid defenses crazy, even earning praise from Simone Inzaghi, the Italian coach, in the post-match press conference. The manager from Piacenza did not hesitate to say: "Lamine Yamal is a phenomenon that appears once every fifty years".

But it wasn’t just Inter who recognized his impact. His own coach, Hansi Flick, also showered praise on the Spanish-Moroccan star for his exhibition at the Giuseppe Meazza. And international media joined in: praise for the 17-year-old has spread across the continent.

🇮🇹 Gazzetta dello Sport: "Extraterrestrial Lamine"

The Italian press wasted no time in praising Lamine Yamal. 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' called him "a messianic pearl" and praised his competitive character: "Yesterday, the 2007-born kid first revived and then carried his team. And in the end, when he was handed the jersey to commemorate his 100th game for Barça, he was upset — he wanted to win."

Italy also highlighted his footballing maturity: "The best 17-year-old player in the world dribbles as if he's playing in the park with friends, receives the ball on the right wing, and sometimes calls for calm with open arms like a captain. Untouchable, sometimes unstoppable. At this pace, so it will be."

"He's the Atlas of Montjuïc with Barça on his shoulders. A chest of talent. The last thrill came when Yamal hit the crossbar three minutes from the end. No one knows if he intended to cross. Anything can come from that left foot."

🇫🇷 L’Équipe: “Lamine could have been the man of the match”

From France, although with less enthusiasm, they also acknowledged his role. L’Équipe noted: "The match, full of goals and incredible plays from Lamine Yamal and Denzel Dumfries, named man of the match — though it could easily have been Lamine. The return leg promises to be just as exciting next Tuesday."

🇩🇪 BILD: "Superstar Lamine"

German outlet BILD was more direct in its analysis, even mentioning that the Barça winger had started the match with physical discomfort. "A bitter start for Flick with two goals from Inter. His team dominated the match and created chance after chance, but couldn’t win. The 17-year-old superstar Lamine Yamal was constantly on the move. He had to stop warming up before the match due to an issue. But in the end, he played and delivered an outstanding performance. He alone brought Barça back into the game."

"The 17-year-old superstar Lamine Yamal was constantly on the move"

🏴 The Times: "A sensational Lamine inspires Barça"

From the UK, Lamine Yamal’s stellar performance against Inter Milan was also highlighted, noting that the Spanish-Moroccan talent was the main inspiration that kept FC Barcelona alive in a frenetic clash: "Barça rallied with an inspired Lamine Yamal, who scored on the second anniversary of his first-team debut. A stunner and, once again, he commanded a high-stakes tie with astonishing composure for a 17-year-old."

🏴 The Sun: "Match of the season; Lamine dominates"

The Sun didn’t hesitate to once again compare the winger to a historic FC Barcelona and world football legend: Lionel Messi. They also stated that Lamine Yamal’s performance was one of the best of the entire season: "Lamine Yamal will have to live with comparisons to Lionel Messi at some point. The supreme 17-year-old lit up his first Champions League semifinal with a magical display that pulled Barcelona from the brink before Raphinha’s rocket saved them again."

"Lamine Yamal will have to live with comparisons to Lionel Messi at some point"

🇦🇷 Diario Olé: “Lamine, untamable demon”

Praise for Lamine Yamal also came from South America. Argentina’s Diario Olé didn’t hold back in its admiration, calling the young forward an "untamable demon": "On the pitch, there was one player who broke every tactical plan and defensive setup: Lamine Yamal, in his 100th appearance for Barça at 17 years old, was an untamable demon who once again showed that pressure doesn’t weigh on him and that he can leave any rival behind."

"Lamine Yamal, in his 100th appearance for Barça at 17, was an untamable demon who once again showed that pressure doesn’t weigh on him"

🇪🇸 FCBN also said it: Lamine Yamal, great match and record

At FCBN we also wanted to highlight Lamine Yamal’s performance in his 100th game for FC Barcelona. His spectacular goal, impressive numbers and records for precocity, and his key role in a high-voltage match were analyzed in depth in our special coverage.