Yamal Is Barca's New Messi-Ah

Only 17, he tries to 'be myself' as he follows legend's bootsteps in restoring club's glory

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BARCELONA - Barcelona last reached the Champions League final a decade ago, with Lionel Messi as their torchbearer.

Now the La Liga giants rely on another generational talent in Lamine Yamal as their X factor when they host Inter Milan in a semi-final, first-leg clash on April 30.

At the peak of his powers, Messi scored two brilliant goals in the 2015 semi-final, first leg against Bayern Munich on the way to the treble.

Yamal, only 17 and still honing his finishing, holds the key to the team's potential success this season.

The teenager, left-footed but operating on the right flank with freedom to roam — as Messi did for many years — is what gives Hansi Flick's brilliant Barca their edge.

Yamal showed precisely that in their thrilling Clasico Copa del Rey final victory over Real Madrid on April 26 in Seville, setting up two of Barcelona's three goals.

He has been showing it all season, with 14 goals and 24 assists, and countless but crucial flashes of invention, genius and flair, on the back of his superb Euro 2024 displays with champions Spain.

Flick's attacking Barca have captured the imagination and a grand part of that is due to Yamal.