Yamal Gets Messi's No. 10 Amid Controversies, Blinded By Fame? First Sports With Rupha Ramani
Yamal Gets Messi's No. 10 Amid Controversies, Blinded By Fame? |First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G
Lamine Yamal is the football world's latest sensation — breaking records, dazzling defenders, and now donning the iconic number 10 jersey once worn by Lionel Messi at Barcelona. But while the teenager shines on the pitch, the spotlight off it is starting to burn. From a controversial mafia-themed birthday bash that drew fire from disability rights groups to dating scandals making tabloid headlines, Yamal's golden run is facing cracks. In this deep dive, we explore the pressure of stepping into Messi's legacy, why image matters as much as performance, and whether the young Spaniard has what it takes to balance fame, expectations, and responsibility. Because in football, talent gets you headlines, but discipline writes your legacy.
See More
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
FC Barcelona likely to make decision on Marc-Andre ter Stegen's captaincy after Joan Gamper Trophy
The ongoing saga surrounding Marc-Andre ter Stegen's captaincy at FC Barcelona has captured the attention of fans. As the club prepares for the 2025-26 La Liga season, tensions between the German goalkeeper and the Barcelona hierarchy have escalated, putting his role as captain under intense scrutiny. The crucial decision is set to be made after the Joan Gamper Trophy. The rift between Marc-Andre ter Stegen and FC Barcelona stemmed from a series of events that have challenged the goalkeeper's standing within the club. The 33-year-old, who has been an important part of Barcelona's defense since joining from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014, announced he would undergo back surgery, sidelining him for an estimated three months. This timeline, however, has caused friction, as La Liga regulations require a minimum four-month absence to classify an injury as long-term, allowing the club to use 80% of ter Stegen's salary to register new signing Joan Garcia. The club's medical staff countered, estimating a recovery period of four to five months, highlighting a discrepancy that has fueled internal discord. Marc-Andre ter Stegen's public statement about his injury and recovery timeline has been perceived by some within the club as prioritizing personal interests over the team's needs. This sentiment has led to growing calls to strip him of the captaincy. Barcelona's captaincy is traditionally decided through a squad vote following the Joan Gamper Trophy, a pre-season match that marks the symbolic start of the season. However, speculation is that head coach Hansi Flick may face pressure from club officials to intervene and remove the armband from ter Stegen directly, bypassing the usual democratic process. Several factors contribute to this debate. Firstly, ter Stegen's absence at the start of the season due to his surgery means he will likely miss the Joan Gamper Trophy, where the captain traditionally addresses the fans. Second captain Ronald Araujo is expected to take on this role, potentially signaling a shift in leadership dynamics. Moreover, with Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny ahead of him in the pecking order, ter Stegen faces the prospect of being the third-choice goalkeeper, a position deemed incompatible with the captaincy by some board members. Since joining Barcelona, ter Stegen has won 19 trophies, including six La Liga titles and the 2014-15 Champions League. Named captain in August 2024 following Sergi Roberto's departure, his leadership was tested last season when a severe knee injury sidelined him from September to May. Despite retaining the armband during his recovery, his return was marred by public frustration with the club and a refusal to accept a reduced role, creating tension with Flick.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Xavi Hernandez and Pep Guardiola's applications were not genuine: AIFF
NEW DELHI: A day after its top official claimed that World Cup-winning Spanish great Xavi Hernandez was among the applicants for India football coach's position, the All India Football Federation said that the e-mail received in his name was found to be "not genuine" and three others have been short-listed for the job. The AIFF did not reveal the names in the pruned list but it is widely believed that Khalid Jamil, currently the head coach of Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC, is the front-runner for the post left vacant by Spaniard Manolo Marquez. "The AIFF received an e-mail furnishing the applications from Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernandez. The authenticity of their applications could not be confirmed, and it has since emerged that the e-mail applications were not genuine," AIFF stated in a media release. One of its officials, on conditions of anonymity, had stated on Friday that the application of Xavi could not be processed as the AIFF did not have resources to hire his services. The IM Vijayan-headed Technical Committee, it is learnt, has also kept Englishman Stephen Constantine, who has previously coached India, and Slovakia's Stefan Tarkovic in the short-list.
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Did Xavi apply for India coach job? Indian football body makes bizarre statement
The Indian football fanbase went into a frenzy after reports emerged that legendary midfielder Xavi Hernandez had applied for the role of head coach of the Indian men's football team. But excitement quickly turned into skepticism, with many questioning the authenticity of the claims. Now, a new statement from India's football governing body has only added to the Saturday, July 26, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) released an official update stating that its Technical Committee had evaluated 170 applications for the top job, which were later narrowed down to 10 shortlisted candidates. As part of the selection criteria, the AIFF stated it was looking for someone with 'a deep understanding of the Asian and Indian football ecosystem.'advertisementAmong the 170 applications, one reportedly came in the name of Xavi Hernandez—a claim first reported earlier in the week and now seemingly confirmed in the AIFF's own statement. 'Additionally, the AIFF received an email furnishing the applications from Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernandez,' the federation the next part of the statement left fans scratching their heads.'The authenticity of their applications could not be confirmed, and it has since emerged that the email applications were not genuine.'That clarification has done little to quell the speculation. Did Xavi actually apply? Was the email simply a prank or a misrepresentation? The answer remains unclear, and fans—already disillusioned by the current state of Indian football—are left with more questions than answers.A NEW FACE FOR INDIAN FOOTBALL? The timing of the drama is particularly unfortunate. Indian football currently finds itself in a precarious position—without a national team coach, with uncertainty hanging over the domestic league's future, and no clear path forward. The hope of a high-profile savior like Xavi or Pep Guardiola had, for a moment, stirred or not the legendary Spaniard truly had interest, the episode has highlighted just how desperate Indian football is for a fresh face and a new direction. And with time running out, both the AIFF and its fans know one thing for certain: Indian football needs a leader—now more than ever.- EndsMust Watch
