‘What?! At 17!’ – Thierry Henry reveals what amazes him about Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal right winger of Barcelona and Spain celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol de Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou on April 11, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images

Thierry Henry has shared his thoughts on Barcelona star Lamine Yamal and revealed how he’s been amazed by his footballing intelligence as well as his outrageous talent.

Yamal is currently sidelined through injury and will miss the end of Barcelona’s season but is expected back for the World Cup. Henry says he hopes to see the best version on Yamal at the tournament and feels he could be the star of the show.

“I hope he’s at his peak, because at the World Cup we want the best players in top form. Even if it’s worse for France, I want to see the best Lamine Yamal there. We know he’s an exceptional player, and he already proved it at the last European Championship, which Spain won, by the way,” he told Marca.

“But… you know what amazes me about Lamine? I remember in the semi-final against France, on a counter-attack, already winning 2-1, he had the chance to keep attacking, but no, at 17 years old, he had the intelligence to slow the game down, to control the pace, because that’s what was best for the team. And he told his teammates as much.

“He controlled the ball, brought it down, and laid it off to Carvajal. What?! At 17! People focus on his skill and technique, but what amazed me was his intelligence. That kid plays like he’s in his own neighborhood. Time will tell what happens, but he’s shown me he can be the star of any World Cup.”