At first, the face can make people look twice. The hairstyle, smile and facial features of 15-year-old Allen James from Chakkuvally in Kollam have drawn comparisons with Spanish football star Lamine Yamal. A video of the schoolboy has now turned that resemblance into an unexpected internet sensation, with one Instagram video crossing 14 million views.
A familiar face suddenly becomes famous
Allen, a Class 10 student at Peruvazhi Government High School, had heard the comparison long before he became popular online. People around him had often told him that he looked like Yamal, but he never paid much attention.That changed when block panchayat member and vlogger Nikhil Manohar filmed Allen and shared the video. Videos showing Allen wearing a Yamal jersey added to the fascination.What was once a casual comment among people who knew him suddenly became something thousands of strangers noticed.
The interesting twist: Allen is a defender
There is an amusing difference between the two boys. Yamal has built his reputation as an attacking footballer, while Allen prefers the defensive line.Football, however, is not simply a resemblance for Allen. He has played the sport since childhood and is part of his school football team. His brother also plays football, making the sport a familiar part of family life.Allen is a fan of Yamal, but his biggest footballing loyalty belongs elsewhere. He admires Lionel Messi and supports Argentina.
From 200 followers to more than 20,000
The viral attention has changed Allen’s everyday life. His social media following, which was once around 200, has crossed 20,000.He is also being invited to local events as a guest. People now want to meet the teenager who has been nicknamed Kerala’s Yamal.Allen said many people had pointed out the resemblance for a long time, but he only began noticing the attention around the World Cup. He also hopes the story eventually reaches Yamal himself.
Fame came with jokes too
Not all internet attention is easy to handle. Allen said he has faced jokes and comments online, but chooses not to take them seriously.That response perhaps matters more than the resemblance itself. At 15, Allen is suddenly dealing with a kind of attention he never planned for. Yet his focus remains fairly simple: football, school and the hope of hearing from the player he resembles.
Waiting for a message from the real Yamal
The internet loves a striking coincidence, especially when it involves football. Allen’s story has all the ingredients: a familiar face, a young footballer and a global star whose image makes the resemblance even more obvious.But behind the viral videos is simply a teenager from Chakkuvally who already loved football before millions discovered his face.For now, Allen has one wish, a message from Lamine Yamal himself.Disclaimer: This article is based on information provided by ANI. The resemblance between Allen James and Lamine Yamal is a visual comparison and does not imply any personal or professional connection between the two.