FC Barcelona have produced countless soccer legends over the decades, building lineups that have defined generations. Now, the Catalan giants find themselves in the midst of a new era, led by rising star Lamine Yamal. At just 17, the teenage sensation has already made waves, and in a recent club video, he shared his all-time Barcelona XI — with Lionel Messi unsurprisingly at the center of it.
In the YouTube segment posted by Barcelona’s official channel, Yamal named his dream team. One of the standout picks was Victor Valdes in goal. “In my head, he’s the most historic goalkeeper we’ve had. He’s the one I’ve seen,” Yamal said. The young winger went with a back line of three center backs, opting for Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, and Javier Mascherano — all pillars of past Barcelona defenses.
The midfield was predictably legendary, though with a creative twist. “Ronaldinho as an attacking midfielder, because I already know who to put in the forward positions and there’s no space,” Yamal laughed. Alongside the Brazilian icon, he placed Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi Hernandez — now the coach who handed Yamal his senior debut at just 16 years old.
Up front, Yamal made it clear that the legendary MSN trio is untouchable. He chose Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr. on either side of his idol, Lionel Messi. “Messi, obviously,” Yamal said. “And I had to put Neymar because he’s my favorite player.” The youngster has even shared time with Neymar off the pitch, vacationing with the Brazilian legend this past summer.
Notable omissions from the XI
While Yamal’s selections drew praise, they also left out some towering figures in Barcelona’s history. Among the most glaring omissions were Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldo Nazario, and Dani Alves. Ronaldinho’s inclusion effectively kept others out, especially in the attacking midfield and fullback roles.
Reflecting Barça’s past in its present
Yamal’s XI isn’t just a walk down memory lane — it also mirrors the foundation of the club’s current project. Players like Pedri echo the style of Iniesta, not identical but strikingly similar. Frenkie de Jong fits the mold of a modern-day Xavi or Busquets. Defensively, Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez bring shades of Pique and Mascherano with their physicality and composure.
And perhaps most importantly, Yamal embodies the flair and creativity of players like Neymar and Ronaldinho. It’s no coincidence that he models his game after them, looking to bring joy and imagination back to the Camp Nou.
Under new head coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona are striving to recapture that iconic identity — rooted in possession, technical mastery, and attacking beauty. While there’s still work to be done, the foundation is in place. And with Lamine Yamal leading the charge, Barcelona’s future looks firmly connected to its storied past.