The allure of football is undeniable, showcasing dazzling dribbles and unforgettable goals…

One player glides down the right flank, his left foot already etched in memory, while the other remains agile on both sides. Even the world’s top goalkeeper is familiar with his right foot after last night’s match: Emiliano Martinez.

Lamin Jamal and Dezir Due are the bright stars that the football world has long awaited, particularly in the absence of giants like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

This 17-year-old Spanish prodigy elevates the beauty of football with each match, whether he’s donning a Barcelona jersey or representing his national team.

Last season, he slowly captured the world’s attention. Over the summer, he played a vital role for Spain en route to their European title, only to improve from there. Just as we once expected mesmerizing moments from Ronaldinho and Messi during their Barcelona days, Jamal delivers the same excitement today.

“He is the ‘Chosen One,’ after the Messiah, he stands out,” remarked Micah Richards, former Manchester City player and current CBS analyst.

Jamal was a force against Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals (4:0), scoring and becoming the first player ever to net in multiple knockout stage matches in UEFA history before turning 18.

This season, he has tallied 14 goals and provided 18 assists across all competitions, transforming him into a scoring machine under Hansi Flick, alongside Rafinha and Robert Lewandowski.

Barcelona is on the brink of reaching the semi-finals, a stage they haven’t seen since their painful elimination by Liverpool in 2019—marking a significant shift in Catalonia with Jamal’s emergence.

On the other hand, Due—whose last name translates from French as talented or gifted—seized his first major opportunity on the grand stage.

Paris Saint-Germain acquired him from Rennes last summer, and under Luis Enrique, he quickly responded to the chances presented to him. With 12 goals and 13 assists, his impressive composure and self-belief stand out.

He made headlines with a decisive penalty shot in the shootout at the legendary “Anfield,” then eliminated Croatia from the Nations League with another penalty for the French side.

In the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Aston Villa, PSG entered as favorites. However, after Morgan Rogers put the visitors ahead, it was Due’s stunning left-footed goal into the far corner that rallied the team and left goalkeeper Dibu Martinez powerless.

“The sky’s the limit for this guy,” stated Frank Leboeuf, who once celebrated glory as a world and European champion with France.

Before the match against Villa, reporters questioned Due about comparing himself to Jamal.

“To be better, I only compare myself to myself. I analyze my games, my training, and question myself to maintain discipline. I hope that will propel me to the highest level,” Due replied.

Two rising stars have emerged, potentially igniting a new rivalry that could shape the future of football, and perhaps one day they might find themselves on the same team…

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