– Lamine is a kind of gamers who obtained a present from God. It’s utterly distinctive.
That is what the supervisor of the Spanish nationwide group, Luis de la Fuente, says concerning the jewel Lamine Yamal.
The 16 12 months previous could be very particular.
He has featured in 37 LaLiga video games for Barcelona this season and has seven worldwide caps.
Within the EC this summer time, he’s anticipated to play a central position in Spain’s pursuit.
When the primary recreation comes, Yamal would be the youngest ever participant in a European Championship.
The present report is held by Poland’s Kacper Kozlowski, who was 17 years and 246 days previous when he pitched within the European Championship in 2021.
PLAY: Kids Fermin Lopez, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal loved coaching. Photograph: Manu Fernandez
– After I was 16 years previous, I performed for Actual Madrid’s youth group. We gained the league and I used to be the happiest boy on this planet. Now this child goes to play CE video games from scratch? He’ll play a central position for the Spanish nationwide group, says nationwide group veteran Dani Carvajal.
Ought to Spain go all the best way to the EC last, Lamine Yamal will likely be 17 years previous throughout the last. His birthday is the day earlier than.
– It’s completely unbelievable. That claims one thing about how proficient he actually is. It is exhausting to elucidate how he has that expertise at such a younger age. We should take excellent care of him, says Carvajal.
BEAM: Dani Carvajal is among the most skilled gamers within the Spain squad. Photograph: Jorge Guerrero/AFP
Each day, they’re rivals within the two greatest golf equipment in Spain, however within the nationwide group, Carvajal is among the skilled gamers that may make Yamal extra mature.
– You need to be very cautious with such a younger footballer. It takes so much to play on the highest degree, so we now have to take excellent care of him. On high of that, he additionally has to study. If he’s to be probably the greatest on this planet, he have to be curious and prepared to study, says Carvajal.
The coach is aware of when he sees expertise
It’s not a bomb in his dwelling nation that Luis de la Fuente made Yamal’s important participant.
The nationwide group supervisor has a background within the Spanish age-specific nationwide group. He climbed the ladder from the U19 nationwide group to the nationwide A group.
He gained the U19 EC in 2015. 4 years later, he misplaced the EC last with the U21 nationwide group. He spent a complete of 9 years as coach of the U-national group earlier than taking cost of the lads’s nationwide group in Spain in 2022 after the World Cup in Qatar.
– Playing on individuals with expertise is a protected wager. If you see somebody with a really particular expertise, with a present, it’s important to belief them and present them help. That is how they’ll flourish to the utmost, says Luis de la Fuente.
THE PLAN IS IN PLACE: Luis de la Fuente is accountable for Spain in his first championship as supervisor of the nationwide group. Photograph: Manu Fernandez
He nonetheless believes that Yamal has so much to study, if he’s to take the correct step to turn out to be a legend of the Spanish nationwide group.
As a result of his profession to this point is just not very dissimilar to that of Ansu Fati. He additionally made his debut for Spain on the age of 16. He was additionally a product of Barcelona’s superb expertise growth.
Then got here the accidents and the hunch.
– If Lamine is fortunate and doesn’t maintain any severe accidents, he will likely be among the many greatest footballers on this planet, even though he’s solely 16 years previous. He’s already a number of steps forward of many others, says nationwide group captain Álvaro Morata.
KEY PLAYER: Álvaro Morata should ship the products if Spain are to achieve success this summer time. Photograph: Jorge Gurrero/AFP.
I feel he has so much to study
The supervisor of the nationwide group Luis de la Fuente is aware of that Lamine Yamal involves the championship with quite a lot of strain on his shoulders.
So, he does what he can to mood the expectations of the jewel.
– You need to be very cautious. You need to train them to stroll. Moreover, I’ve all the time believed that particular person expertise have to be used for the good thing about the group. At all times.
– Lamine is a beneficiant footballer, who thinks concerning the group. He could also be extra proficient than others his age, however he will likely be even higher if he realizes that he will likely be higher if he makes use of his expertise to assist the group. Then the group will give him far more in return, says the supervisor of the Spanish nationwide group.
Story: Lamine Yamal most likely has over 20 years left in his profession. It’s already working. Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP
He is aware of that younger gamers can method adversity and success in numerous methods than extra skilled gamers.
– I insist that we have to be cautious. We all know what the event course of for a younger participant is like. There are various ups and downs. Sooner or later you may be on the high, the following day you may be on the backside, says Luis de la Fuente.