Young talent Lamine Yamal delivered a standout performance, reminding everyone of Lionel Messi at his peak with a brilliant assist. However, the image that followed the match left many Barcelona fans worried, as Yamal’s ankle injury raised concerns over his fitness.

In the second leg of the 2024/25 Copa del Rey semi-finals, Yamal was the one who set up Ferran Torres for the only goal of the match, helping Barcelona defeat Atletico Madrid 1-0 and secure a 5-4 aggregate victory, earning them a spot in the final. The young forward’s contribution was crucial in ensuring Barcelona’s passage to the final, with his sharp vision and creative playmaking coming to the fore.

The highlight of the match came in the 27th minute when Yamal delivered an exceptional through ball. Picking up the ball in midfield, the 17-year-old showcased his technical ability with a perfectly timed pass that sliced through three Atletico defenders, sending Torres through on goal. Torres made no mistake, finishing coolly into the far corner past goalkeeper Juan Musso to give Barcelona the lead. The assist quickly went viral on social media, with many fans comparing Yamal to Barcelona legends like Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta. One fan commented, “Yamal could be as good as Xavi and Iniesta,” while another added, “If he improves his finishing, he could be the next Messi.”

Yamal’s contribution in recent matches against Atletico Madrid has been exceptional. In the last three encounters between the two teams, Yamal has been directly involved in all of Barcelona’s goals against Atletico, with one goal and two assists. In the first leg of the semi-final, he had already assisted Robert Lewandowski’s goal.

The match at the Metropolitano Stadium was another display of Yamal’s growing influence on the pitch. The young star made 53 touches, completed 74% of his passes, created three clear-cut chances, took four shots, and won seven duels. His performance earned him a rating of 8 from Sofascore, the highest on the field.

After the match, Barcelona midfielder Pedri praised Yamal’s performance, saying, “I told Lamine to keep doing what he’s doing and enjoy football. Sometimes I have to pull his ear and remind him, but it’s fine.” Despite his brilliant display on the field, Yamal’s post-match injury raised alarm bells for the Barcelona faithful. After a rough tackle from Atletico’s Clement Lenglet, Yamal’s ankle was visibly bleeding, which caused concern among fans.

The injury, which appeared to be the result of a harsh challenge from Lenglet, left Yamal with a bloodied ankle. While it remains unclear whether this injury will affect his availability for future matches, Barcelona fans are anxiously hoping for his swift recovery. With the season entering a critical phase, especially with the possibility of securing a historic treble, Yamal’s injury could pose a serious setback for the team.

Despite the injury, Yamal’s star continues to rise, and his contribution to Barcelona’s attack is becoming increasingly vital. His creativity, vision, and maturity on the ball are already drawing comparisons to some of the greatest players to have ever played for the club. If his injury does not prove to be serious, Barcelona fans can expect more of Yamal’s brilliance in the upcoming games.

Barcelona’s dreams of winning the historic treble are still very much alive, and Yamal’s form will be key to their success. The young forward has already shown that he has the potential to be one of the best in the world, and if he continues on this trajectory, there is no telling just how far he can go. For now, though, all eyes are on his recovery, as Barcelona looks to secure a successful end to what has been a promising season.

As the team moves forward in their quest for silverware, the hope is that Yamal will remain injury-free and continue to provide the spark that Barcelona needs in their pursuit of greatness. The entire club and its supporters are eager to see how far this young prodigy can take them, but for now, the focus is on his recovery and return to full fitness.