BARCELONA: Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, is targeting Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday’s Champions League clash, just days after narrowly missing out on becoming the youngest ever Ballon d’Or winner.
The 18-year-old winger finished runner-up to PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, who will miss the match through injury, giving Yamal a stage to underline his case for next year’s award.
Last season, Yamal drove Barcelona to the semi-finals at only 17, before Flick’s men fell short against Inter. PSG went on to lift their first Champions League crown, a loss that still fuels Yamal’s vow to “bring the cup back to Barcelona.”
Back from a groin injury, Yamal immediately impressed on Sunday, assisting Robert Lewandowski’s winner just a minute after coming on against Real Sociedad. Coach Hansi Flick hailed his “outstanding strength to create chances.”
With over 100 appearances and the iconic No.10 shirt on his back, comparisons with Lionel Messi grow louder. Yamal insists he is only beginning his climb. “You have to climb to get to the top,” he posted after Paris. – AFP
