The pressure of being Messi’s successor

Football is about eras, predictions or comparisons, and sometimes a long wait to find the big star who brings hope to the stands after a difficult period.

After the waiting period is also the moment when everything falls apart. It has happened many times, with talents that never grow up, or with the habit of hiding their talent.

At Barcelona , every time Hansi Flick announces the squad, there is talk about whether Ansu Fati will be included or not.

Ansu Fati was tormented by his own fate, continuous injuries. Above all, the heavy number 10 shirt made it impossible for him to walk.

People always remind Ansu Fati of the day he was chosen to bring Barca back to glory, and replace Lionel Messi as the new icon.

On November 7, 2020, after breaking through like the wind past an opposing defender, entering the penalty area to receive a pass from Jordi Alba, while preparing to shoot, Betis’ Aisa Mandi rushed in, Ansu collapsed on the grass.

Screams of pain echoed around the stadium. Although he played the full first half against Betis, he had torn the meniscus in his left knee. Fati’s brilliant career was shattered.

Having just renewed his contract, become a teenage millionaire, and shouldered the responsibility of changing Barca’s destiny, Fati’s career never returned to the same.

He is one of many examples of the “new Messi”, or “Messi’s successor”. Before Ansu, the talented Bojan Krkic, who scored 423 goals for Barca’s youth teams, had a career that shot up like a shooting star.

Bojan – currently playing the role of football coordinator, supporting the work of the sporting director Deco – was under heavy psychological pressure. Every day, in the dressing room, on the field and even in the press, the refrain of “new Messi” resounded, even though the two were only 3 years apart.

Recently, in a documentary about himself, Bojan recalled the feelings of a La Masia star who became a wanderer with a suitcase always ready to go anywhere.

That journey with AS Roma, Milan, Ajax, Montreal, Stoke City or Mainz. He became the first Spanish player to score in the four biggest European football leagues (La Liga, Premier League, Serie A and Bundesliga).

Lamine Yamal overcomes the ‘curse’

The latest case to be compared to “the new Messi” is Lamine Yamal , although he admits to idolizing Neymar.

Lamine currently wears the number 19 shirt, the number Messi previously wore in his early career seasons.

Not yet an adult, but Lamine Yamal is one of the best and most worth watching players in world football today.

Yamal is the captain of both Barca and the Spanish national team. “If they compare you to Messi, it means you are doing a good job, but I try to be myself,” the 17-year-old said. He is not affected by the comparisons.

Famous journalist Ramon Besa once commented that with Lamine Yamal as the key factor, Hansi Flick is turning Barca into an addictive team. Yes, they are addictive to cules, to neutral audiences with attractive football.

Lamine Yamal pulled fans into the stadium, forcing everyone to sit in front of the TV to watch Barca play. He danced with his own magic.

Last Sunday, Yamal missed a penalty but scored a stunning goal before that. He and Spain beat the Netherlands and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League.

Lamine Yamal, the protagonist of the documentary “Revolució 304” (Revolution 304; 304 is the postal code of the Rocafonda area where he was born; he makes a figure of the number every time he scores a goal), has no problem with the comparison with Messi. At least so far.

“I think I can do more, help more and be an important player, able to lead through difficult times,” Lamine said confidently. He is writing his own era.