From Messi to Yamal: Two Gamper debuts, two different stories

It is a striking parallel to 20 years ago, when another 18-year-old made his Gamper debut: Lionel Messi.

Back in 2004, the Rosario-born forward was an emerging talent rather than the global icon he would become, dazzling against Italian champions Juventus, who fielded stars such as Trezeguet, Del Piero, Nedved, Buffon and Cannavaro.

On that night, then-Juventus coach Fabio Capello was left in awe of Messi's performance. At the time, Ronaldinho was Barcelona's main attraction, with Eto'o and Deco in support, while Messi was a thrilling work in progress.

Two decades later, the scenario is very different. Lamine Yamal enters his first Gamper as a fully established international, already twice nominated for the Ballon d'Or and a genuine contender.

The winger from Rocafonda was instrumental in Barcelona's domestic treble last season – winning La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercup – and played a decisive role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph.

While comparisons to the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner are inevitable, Yamal's rise has been even more rapid in its early stages. Yet football is a marathon, not a sprint, and sustaining excellence over 15 years as Messi did will be his greatest challenge.

For now, the new No.10 has made a head start – and the Gamper could be the perfect stage to underline that his time has already arrived.