Inter Milan Stars Reveal Shocking Challenger They Feared Most in 2024-25 Champions League Clash

As the 2024-25 season winds down, Inter Milan stands on the cusp of glory, having battled their way through a grueling UEFA Champions League campaign to lock horns with Paris Saint-Germain this Saturday in the final. It’s been a rollercoaster journey for the Nerazzurri, who faced off against giants like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Bayer Leverkusen in the group stage before taking on the titans Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona in the knockouts. But amidst all these heavyweight clashes, there was one adversary who left an indelible mark on Inter’s squad—a player so formidable that every single one of their key players pointed to him as the toughest challenge they encountered. That standout figure? None other than the 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal from Barcelona, whose relentless presence tested Inter’s defense like no other. Ahead of the final, even coach Simone Inzaghi admits the plan to shadow Yamal tightly—a testament to his meteoric rise and impact beyond just scoring. It’s a narrative of grit, youth, and sheer influence on the grandest stage… and it’s just getting started. LEARN MORE .

Inter Milan are nearing the end of the 2024-25 season after a challenging run to reach the UEFA Champions League final, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. Along the way, Inter’s players unanimously agreed on the toughest opponent they faced in the competition.

During their Champions League campaign, Inter confronted top teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Bayer Leverkusen in the group stage, followed by Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona in the knockout rounds, leaving many star players in their wake.

To reflect on the season, UEFA’s official social media asked Inter players Alessandro Bastoni, Yann Sommer, Yann Bisseck, Davide Frattesi, Kristjan Asllani, and Federico Dimarco who they considered the toughest player they faced this season. Remarkably, they all gave the same answer.

The unanimous choice was Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old Barcelona sensation who proved a constant challenge during the semifinal clash. While he scored only one goal across the two legs, Yamal’s impact on the Nerazzurri defense was relentless.

In the pre-match press conference, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi acknowledged Yamal’s threat, saying, “We’ll double-mark him and give him our full attention.” This recognition highlights not only Yamal’s emergence as one of the world’s best young talents but also his influence on the pitch beyond goals and assists.

Yamal signs contract extension with Barcelona until 2031

Barcelona recently made it official: Lamine Yamal has signed a contract extension keeping him at the club through 2031. Both the club and player expressed their desire to finalize a new deal before the season’s end, and now it’s completed.

With a five-year extension added to his previous contract, Yamal is expected to remain at Barcelona until he turns 22. According to Mundo Deportivo, the club has also increased his release clause to €1 billion, effectively securing him against any potential suitors.