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The baton passing on to the next generation is inevitable. Lionel Messi was the best player La Liga had ever seen, and to be associated with him is a great honor. A teenage prodigy recently surpassed one of Messi’s 18-year-old feats, just hours after a major disappointment, as Cinncinati quashed Inter Miami’s hopes of making it to the Playoffs.

Lionel Messi leaving FC Barcelona was the end of an era. Even though he managed to win titles after that, the joy he used to have looked missing, especially while in Paris. Even soccer fans in La Liga might have felt the same. But the rise of another player seems to be the saving grace.

Sixteen-year-old surpasses 18-year-old feat of Lionel Messi

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FC Barcelona has regained momentum after an average performance in the 2021-2022 season. With the departure of the Argentine player, the team added more firepower by signing Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha to steady the boat. But instead, one of their La Masia stars, Lamine Yamal, has done the incredible.

The player becomes the youngest to score a goal in La Liga at 16 years and 87 days. Both Yamal and Messi scored their first goal for Barcelona at a very young age. The Argentine scored his first goal for Barcelona against Albacete on 1st May 2005. Getting an assist from the iconic Ronaldinho, Messi achieved the feat at seventeen years and ten months.

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Yamal, however, reached the La Liga record by overtaking Fabrice Olinga, who did it in 2012 against Celta Vigo. Lamal made his first senior appearance for Barcelona against Real Betis earlier this year, becoming their youngest debutant of this century. He scored a stoppage-time goal in the first half of the match, which proved vital for the team to salvage a point.

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On one hand, the Spanish national coach praised Yamal for being similar to Messi, on the other, Inter Miami lost all hopes of their MLS playoffs contention.

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Barcelona or Inter Miami: Who can function without Leo Messi?

Messi hasn’t played the full ninety since the Toronto FC match, leading to the team’s failure to register any win thereafter. Their latest outing against Cincinnati was the last nail in the coffin, eliminating all chances of making it to the Playoffs. Miami is currently languishing in the 14th spot in the Eastern Conference, one above floor-huggers Toronto, with their last game against Charlotte. This could result in Messi not playing soccer for 4 months, and a loan move to Europe has been on the cards. Notably, a move back to Camp Nou.

Barcelona, on the other hand, are topping their group in UEFA Champions League. However, their recent draw against Granada saw them being dropped to third in La Liga. Things could have been worse if either Yamal or Sergio Roberto failed to score, which would drop them to the 4th spot below Atletico Madrid.

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Do you think Lamine Yamal has what it takes to challenge La Pulga?