Yamal Lamine, 15, makes his Barcelona introduction, and Xavi compares him to Leo Messi.

Since La Masia — Barcelona's football academy — started working, the Catalan club had a simple recipe for success: bring in the top talents who will later thrive in the senior squad. In the 21st century, La Masia produced great players like Andres Iniesta, Xavi, and Carles Puyol, as well as the Argentinian Lionel Messi — arguably the best player that ever touched a football.

However, Barcelona began lavishing large sums of money on overseas stars during the presidency of President Josep Maria Bertomeu. That was successful for a while, but several years ago, Barcelona began to experience financial difficulties. They then want to go back to their tried-and-true strategy of developing the team from young gamers through La Masia.

People like Gavi, Fati Ansu, and Pedri have been used as metrics over the past few years that Barcelona has returned to their customary format. Yamal Lamine, a 16-year-old midfielder who several scouts compare to the great Lionel Messi, should be the next great talent.

Yamal Lamine: Who is she?

Yamal Lamine has already broken a couple records in Barcelona, despite the fact that he can still not officially purchase alcohol. He became the youngest player to ever play for Barcelona at the age of 15 years, nine times, and 16 weeks old when he made his debut for the team last April against Betis.

The newest Barcelona debuts

Yamal Lamine didn't play for the senior squad in the first round this season against Getafe. Still, everything changed after Raphina's red card and suspension. In the second round, Yamal got the first start of his career, and he played exceptionally. Although Yamal didn't score, he caused a lot of problems in the opponent's defense, so it was clear that young Lamine is not only the future, he is now the present too.

In the third game of the season (in a 4-3 win versus Villarreal), Yamal Lamine got another start and produced one of the all-time great performances from a 16-year-old player. Yamal was the most dangerous Barcelona player in the game and, although he didn't score, the youngster helped his team with two assists. Although Villareal fans certainly felt frustration, they still recognised greatness, so young Lamine got a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 75th minute.

Reactions from Yamal Lamine and Xavi after the game against Villarreal

After the best game of his young career, Yamal Lamine said, “I try to take advantage of every opportunity. This is precisely what Xavi asks young people not to be afraid of. Luckily, I'm not scared. I go out and I play football, which is what I'm good at. My mother is a little scared when I'm a starter, but she supports me a lot.”

Barcelona's head coach, Xavi, was impressed with the youngster too. He said: “He is extraordinary. He is surprising us all and continuing to grow. The growth he showed today was impressive. He was given the start because we believe he is capable of making a difference. He is very humble, he works hard and he likes football. He is smart and he makes good decisions. Yamal Lamine's decision-making is almost always correct and right. That's surprising for someone who just turned 16 years old. I hope he will be here for many years at Barca because I think he is a player who can define an era, but let's take it easy.”

Yamal Lamine's strengths and weaknesses

Yamal Lamine, in all his senior matches, played at the right winger position, but he is able to play at the striker and left winger positions too. His dribbling, technique, flair, passing, vision, and IQ are clearly off the chart for his age group, and it is not surprising that many compare him with Messi, Neymar, and Ronaldinho.

Yamal’s biggest flaw is undoubtedly a lack of physical stamina, but this is to become expected coming from an 18-year-old child. There are not very many worries because the muscles will arrive quickly.

Yamal Lamine is still too young, but the level of his talent is something we rarely see. It is hard to tell if he will produce at the level of Lionel Messi and the rest of Barcelona's superstars from decades past, but the Catalan club certainly has another youngster to build around. Yamal Lamine has arrived. The future is here.