Lamine Yamal's meteoric rise at Barcelona has stunned the football world, but his success comes as no surprise to coaches at the La Masia academy. Former striker Javier Saviola, recalling the young talent's first steps, compared him to a young Lionel Messi. This is reported by Goal.com .
During his time as an assistant coach for the Juvenil A team, Saviola immediately noticed that Yamal stood out from the rest. According to him, as an experienced professional who watched a 12-13-year-old Messi, he saw the same unique aura and distinctiveness in Yamal's movements on the pitch.
The coaching staff focused more on the young player's mental preparation than his technical skills. This cautious approach paid off, and in a short time, Yamal became an integral part of Barcelona's first team.
Xavi Hernandez played a crucial role in the young talent's development. Under his guidance, Yamal won major trophies such as La Liga and the UEFA European Championship, and also ranked high among the candidates for the 2025 Ballon d'Or.
Now, having further strengthened his game under Hansi Flick, Yamal has become the team's primary attacking force. Saviola emphasized that the coach's tactical discipline and trust in young players are vital for the future of Barcelona.
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