'Everyone Is Afraid!': Aymeric Laporte Reveals Why Defenders Fear Barcelona Star Lamine Yamal
Spain defender Aymeric Laporte has openly admitted that opponents feel genuine fear when facing Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old continues to rise rapidly in world football, with his technical dribbling skills drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi.
Spain defender Aymeric Laporte praises Lamine Yamal’s extraordinary talent, explaining why rivals fear the Barcelona No.10 as he continues his meteoric climb in world football.
Getty Images Sport
Yamal’s breakthrough began when Barcelona trusted him with a first-team debut at only 15 years old. While his potential was clear, nobody could fully predict how quickly he would establish himself at the highest level, especially considering how often young players struggle during their transition to senior football.
Instead, Yamal has exploded onto the global stage. Upon turning 18, he signed a major new contract and inherited Barcelona’s historic No.10 shirt — previously worn by Messi during his legendary era at the club.
Rather than feeling burdened by the responsibility tied to that shirt, Yamal has continued delivering elite performances. Expectations are high that he will achieve even more during the 2025-26 season.
During the previous season, he scored 18 goals across competitions. In the current campaign, he has already recorded 15 goals and 12 assists in 31 games, regularly acting as Barcelona’s attacking inspiration.
His trophy cabinet is already growing quickly. Yamal has won La Liga, the European Championship, and the Spanish Super Cup, while still competing for Champions League success in 2026.
After finishing second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or standings, many believe he could win multiple awards in the future — mirroring the dominance Messi once showed. Laporte has said he is excited to watch Yamal’s continued development.
Yamal is already viewed as one of football’s most thrilling attacking players. His movement, dribbling confidence, and eye for spectacular goals create constant pressure on opposing defenders.
Laporte has personally experienced Yamal’s quality while representing Spain together. Speaking to RMC Sport, he described Yamal’s ability on the ball as exceptional. According to Laporte, defenders rarely want to challenge him directly and instead choose to back off.
He compared the situation to the way defenders used to react to Messi during one-on-one battles, unsure whether he would cut inside, accelerate, slow down, pass, or shoot from distance.
Yamal has consistently played down the Messi comparisons. Like Messi, he came through Barcelona’s La Masia system, but he insists matching the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s career would be impossible.
He has said that while he considers Messi the greatest player ever, he wants to build his own legacy and playing style, rather than trying to copy him or replicate his journey.
His development continues to move forward positively, with both Barcelona and Spain eager for him to stay injury-free.
If he completes the domestic season fully fit, Yamal is expected to feature in Spain’s World Cup push this summer. Laporte, now back at Athletic Club after two seasons playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, is also hoping to be included in Luis de la Fuente’s final squad.
