Lamine Yamal is doing the unthinkable. The young prodigy, who turned 17 today, is already dribbling past world-class players on the field and making heads turn off the field. He has had some legendary moments in his career, as he recently became the youngest player to score in European Championship. Growing up, Yamal was fortunate to get pictures with his icon Lionel Messi. Now with his performances drawing a few parallels to the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner, his father cannot stop flaunting those iconic pictures. But his statements are striking and astonishing.

Mounir Nasraoui, Yamal’s father, is on cloud nine amid the Euro heroics of the teenager as he feels that his son will take over Messi’s legacy. Nasraoui once again shared a picture from Yamal’s childhood which featured Messi and another former Barcelona superstar Luis Suarez with the caption, “Present and future.”

The picture seems to be from the old days when Lamine Yamal was at Barcelona’s youth academy La Masia, a common place for many soccer greats such as Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and others. However, it is his father’s opinion that is grabbing eyeballs. Nasraoui doesn’t have any hesitation in expressing that Yamal is the best player for him already. The Morocco-born stated that he always knew his son would be a star, having the blessing from God.

Yamal has quite a lot to do to catch up with the ranks of the Inter Miami captain in terms of records. He has started well. Lionel Messi, at 16, did not make his international debut, nor did he start for FC Barcelona in an official game. But, Yamal has done both. However, if the teenager has to match the Argentine’s overall records and prove his father right, he will require a lot of determination.

Lamine Yamal is the best in football, claims father

Fans were already considering Lamine Yamal to be somewhat similar to Messi. The Spanish international, just like the World Cup winner, has a strong left foot and is a gifted dribbler. In addition, he has also shown some incredible goal-scoring and assisting ability. A recent picture of baby Yamal with Messi led to comments that he received blessings from the Argentine.

Subsequently, the youngster’s father responded humorously saying, “Maybe it was Lamine who blessed Leo,” and further stated, “For me, he (Yamal) is the best in everything, not only in football, in love, in person, and in everything,” suggesting that his son takes the pole position above anyone else for him.

Nevertheless, Yamal has already shown great promise with his physical and mental abilities. And as he embarks on creating another record to become the youngest player to win a Euro Championship, he will hope to make his father and all his supporters proud.