Ivan Rakitic, a former FC Barcelona midfielder who played for the club between 2014 and 2020, recently made headlines with a striking statement about young star Lamine Yamal.

Rakitic, who was part of Barcelona’s golden era alongside Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suárez, suggested that the 17-year-old winger wouldn’t have been a starter in his time.

During Rakitic’s tenure, Barcelona boasted one of the most formidable attacking trios in football history, often referred to as the MSN (Messi, Suárez, Neymar).

This trio set an incredible record in the 2014–15 season, scoring a combined 131 goals across all competitions, which powered Barcelona to a historic treble: La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.

Rakitic’s comment highlights the immense quality of that squad, implying that even a prodigy like Yamal would have struggled to break into the starting lineup.

Lamine Yamal, who made his Barcelona debut in 2023 at the tender age of 15, has already etched his name in the club’s history books as its youngest-ever player in over 100 years.

Now, at 17, Yamal is widely regarded as one of football’s brightest talents. His accolades include the 2024 UEFA Euro Young Player Award and the prestigious Kopa Trophy, which recognizes the world’s best young player.

These achievements underscore his potential to become a global superstar, but Rakitic’s perspective offers a reality check by comparing Yamal to the unparalleled standards of Barcelona’s past.

The statement, shared by Barça Universal on X, ignited a lively discussion among fans.

Many agreed with Rakitic, pointing out that no one could displace the MSN trio during their prime—Messi alone was a record-breaking goal machine, while Neymar and Suárez brought flair and lethality to the attack.

Others, however, argued that Yamal’s unique skill set and maturity might have earned him some minutes, even in that star-studded team.

Under current manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s 2024–25 season has shown promise, with the team scoring an impressive 55 goals in their first 16 matches—a club record for that stage of a campaign.

This resurgence has fueled optimism that Yamal could lead a new era of dominance for the

Blaugrana.

Rakitic’s comment serves as a reminder of Barcelona’s storied legacy while sparking curiosity about Yamal’s future.

Can the young Spaniard eventually surpass the heights of the MSN era? Only time will tell, but for now, the debate rages on among football fans worldwide.