‘Untamable demon’, ‘Superstar’, ‘Montjuïc’s Atlas’… World press reacts to Barcelona star’s incredible performance against Inter Milan | OneFootball

Several players impressed as FC Barcelona and Inter Milan fought out a 3-3 draw in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final.

However, none of them shone as brightly as the 17-year-old Blaugrana winger Lamine Yamal, whose first goal proved to be pivotal for his side, as it pushed them to fight back and level the scores after going 2-0 down in the 21st minute.

Beyond that goal, the youngster continued to impress throughout the night with his immaculate passes and crosses into the box, his dribbles, and his fancy skill moves to beat opposition defenders. Even Simone Inzaghi was in awe of the youngster’s performance in this game.

As Diario AS has noted, publications from around the world were full of praise for the young winger for how he took on a side as good as Inter Milan despite not even being 18 years old yet.

Some of the biggest press outlets in Europe and beyond recognised his performance. The German outlet Bild described him as ‘Superstar Lamine” and wrote:

“An bitter start for Flick with Inter’s two goals. His team dominated the match and created chance after chance, but couldn’t win. Superstar Lamine Yamal, just 17 years old, was constantly on the move. He had to interrupt his pre-match warm-up due to some issues, but in the end, he was able to play and delivered an exceptional performance. He alone brought Barça back into the game.”

Similarly, the Portuguese newspaper A Bola wrote:

“Crazy match with a goal from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal to relaunch the game and the Champions League semifinal. On his 100th appearance for Barcelona, he was his usual self, carrying the team on his back — and shortly after scoring, he hit the crossbar with a deflected shot past Sommer.”

The Times was also full of praise for Lamine Yamal:

“Barça came back with an inspired Lamine Yamal, who scored on the second anniversary of his first-team debut. A stunning goal, and once again, he controlled a high-stakes knockout match with remarkable composure for a 17-year-old.”

The Italian newspaper Gazzetto dello Sport highlighted his nonchalant style:

“The best 17-year-old player in the world dribbles like he’s in the park with friends, calmly spreading his arms like a captain when needed. Unreachable, sometimes unstoppable — at this rate, that’s what he’ll be. He’s Montjuïc’s Atlas, carrying Barça on his shoulders. A chest full of talent.

His final gift: a shot off the crossbar with three minutes to go. Hard to tell if he meant to curl it — with that left foot, anything is possible.”

The Guardian also recognised the young winger’s incredible outing in the UCL:

“Lamine Yamal had said that he left fear behind in the Mataró park when he was a child, and certainly there was no trace of it on an amazing night in Montjuïc. Barcelona were losing by a goal in the first minute of their first Champions League semifinal in seven years, reminding them of the ghosts of their recent past and needing more goals than Inter had conceded in the entire league phase.

Then, they found themselves losing again an hour into the game, but the 17-year-old didn’t give up, nor did his teammates.”

Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring for Barcelona. [Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images]

Another English outlet, The Sun, did not remain behind either:

“Lamine Yamal will have to accept these comparisons with Lionel Messi at some point. The supreme 17-year-old player lit up his first Champions League semifinal when his magnificent spell diverted Barcelona from disaster before Raphinha’s rocket saved them once again.”

The French newspaper L’Equipe was hoping for another similar performance next week:

“The match, rich in goals and plays of immense quality from Lamine Yamal and Denzel Dumfries, who was named player of the match, although it could easily have been Lamine. The return leg promises to be equally thrilling next Tuesday.”

The Argentinian outlet Ole described Lamine Yamal as an “untamable demon”:

“On the field, there was a player who broke every tactical scheme and defensive setup: Lamine Yamal, in his 100th match with Barça at the age of 17, was an untamable demon who once again showed that the context doesn’t weigh on him and that he is capable of leaving any opponent in the dust.”

Lastly, the Flemish paper Het Nieuwsblad showed sympathy for Inter Milan on facing the winger in such good vein of form:

Lamine Yamal certainly deserves all these plaudits as his performance was nothing short of world class in this game. Hopefully, he will be able to reproduce such a performance next week as well, and help Barcelona advance to the final.