Former French striker Thierry Henry has issued a warning about the rising fame of Lamine Yamal, comparing his situation to that of Bojan Krkić, who was once considered a great prospect for FC Barcelona but never lived up to the high expectations set during his youth.

During his time at La Masia, Bojan became the all-time top scorer in the club’s youth categories with 423 goals, earning his first-team debut at just 17 years old under Frank Rijkaard in 2007. However, the pressure proved too much for him, affecting his development and leading to a career that fell short of expectations. Henry, who shared a dressing room with Bojan, recalled his story and expressed concern about what Yamal is currently experiencing.

"I've seen this before. It didn't happen to me, but I saw it with Bojan Krkić. I encourage you to look up his story, watch his documentary, and understand what can happen when someone so young suddenly has to deal with fame and pressure," explained the 1998 World Cup winner in his role as an analyst for CBS Sports.

A challenge in managing fame

Unlike Bojan, Lamine Yamal seems better prepared to handle the pressure. At just 16 years old, he has already shined at the Euro Cup, proving he is ready for the elite. However, the young Barcelona winger recently admitted in an interview with UEFA.com that fame has significantly changed his life. "Now, wherever I go, people recognize me. It's something to be proud of, but it's also difficult because I can't live a normal life," he confessed.

Despite the media attention, Yamal has managed to stay grounded, relying on his family and his hometown, Mataró, as a place to escape. "It's like home—nobody bothers me there, and I can disconnect," said the Barcelona prodigy, making it clear that although stardom comes with sacrifices, he remains focused and down to earth.