Ex-Real Madrid midfielder insists it’s “possible” with the player set to stay at the club for many years
Wesley Sneijder believes Lamine Yamal has the potential to surpass Lionel Messi at Barcelona and expects the teenager to remain at the club for at least another decade.
The former Netherlands midfielder said the 18-year-old has shown enough at senior level to be considered Messi’s natural successor.
Yamal finished second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting behind Ousmane Dembele after a 2024-25 season in which he helped Barcelona win a domestic treble and reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Sneijder told AdventureGamers that the teenager has shown enough to suggest he could go ahead to become one of the club’s greatest players.
“We speak about whether Yamal can be Messi one day, well Yamal at Barcelona is the new Messi,” said Sneijder. “They will never let him go and I think, I believe, that the kid would never want to leave.”
Yamal signed a mega contract in the summer, a six-year deal with a release clause of €1bn. It also made him one of the best paid players at the club. Both the player and Barcelona have spoken about how the club has the perfect project for him.
“He’s been there since he was a youngster and he’s already achieved so much as a first team player,” said Sneijder. “He’s earned a lot of money. He’s a big star of the team. Why would you consider going to England or Germany or wherever else? It doesn’t make any sense.
“Maybe he will leave later like Messi did to go and try some new experiences but it is 2025. If we speak again in 10 years’ time, Lamine Yamal will still be at Barcelona.
“Can Yamal reach Messi’s level or even go beyond him to become a better player? It’s possible. Players improve every year and he is already at such a high level.”
