Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has said he finds it amazing that young fans now look up to him, just as he once admired Lionel Messi.

At just 17 years old, Yamal has had an outstanding season, scoring 14 goals and providing 22 assists. His performance has helped keep Barça competitive in all three major tournaments as they prepare for Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, followed by a Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan.

Yamal’s rise has made him a role model for a new generation of fans. His jersey is now one of the top sellers at the club’s official store and is the most commonly seen in the stands at the Olympic Stadium.

"It's incredible," he told ESPN as part of the new Powerade Campaign which features "The 304" film in reference to his neighbourhood. "When I was a kid, I wore Neymar's shirts, Messi's jerseys, all these players, so seeing kids wearing my shirt means that I'm their inspiration, at least in football.

"It's something I never thought would happen so fast: [seeing] those 13-year-old kids in the shirt of a kid who's only four years older than them. It is amazing.

"My mum always tells me to think about [the significance]; that it doesn't happen to just anyone, going somewhere and seeing a kid wearing your shirt. It is something that makes me very happy and is one of the things I like the most."

Lamine Yamal’s rise in football has been fast and impressive. He made his debut at just 15 years old on April 29, 2023, and in less than two years, he has achieved major success.

He helped Spain win the European Championship and has picked up several individual awards along the way. Earlier this week, Yamal was named the Breakthrough of the Year at the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards.

This adds to the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy awards he won last year, confirming his status as one of the brightest young talents in the game.