Even with the emergence of prodigious talent like Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi’s stature and influence remain so immense that, were he still at Barcelona, he would likely be the preferred starter — relegating the young star to a secondary role.
This suggests that Messi’s unparalleled legacy, experience, and impact on the pitch still command such respect and tactical priority that even the most exciting young players, like Yamal, would find it difficult to displace him from the starting lineup. It speaks both to Messi’s enduring greatness and the high standards that upcoming talents must meet to truly surpass him at club level.
