Lamine Yamal won Euro 2024 with Spain days after turning 17 and helped Barcelona secure La Liga, becoming a global teenage football star. Media attention and scrutiny have intensified as he established himself as a regular starter for Spain and a key player at Barcelona. Freddy Adu, once hailed as the 'next Pele' after early debuts, draws parallels between his own rapid rise and Yamal's fame. Adu praises Yamal's skill, left foot and maturity, and warns that early stardom brings unique pressures that can affect career trajectories when combined with intense media focus.
Lamine Yamal has become the most exciting young footballer on the planet after shooting to stardom with Barcelona and Spain but if anyone knows the potential pitfalls ahead of him, it's Freddy Adu. The American was hailed as the 'next Pele' after making his MLS debut at 14 and his senior international debut at 16, but struggled to fulfil his potential after spending his teenage years in the media spotlight.
There are similarities, because he's been heralded at such a young age, and is basically known around the world at this point, Adu said. I played as a winger, sometimes on the right, sometimes on the left, mostly in the middle as a 10, but the playing style is similar. Lamine Yamal (Image credit: Getty Images) He's very skilful, coming in from the right side, cutting in, getting his shots off. His left foot is just sublime. He's much more polished than I was at the same age.
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