Alejandro Balde’s public comments this week, demanding patience for his teenage teammate at both club level and the international scene, are predictably well-intentioned by a fellow youngster who wants the best for a friend in Barcelona’s latest wonderkid forward Lamine Yamal. That sentiment doesn’t make it any less likely scrutiny doesn’t follow him around, though.
Yamal’s season start leaves fans yearning for more
- Yamal, who became Barcelona’s youngest ever player last season, has started each of their last three La Liga games under Xavi and particularly caught the eye during their 4-3 away victory at Villarreal on August 27
- The left-footed right winger, a key cog in the Spain U17 side that reached this summer’s European semi-finals, was called up to the senior side by Luis de la Fuente and could make more history this coming week
- Club teammate and compatriot Balde, also in the squad, stressed the need for patience with his friend: “Lamine is only a 16-year-old boy, you have to go little-by-little with him, he will demonstrate the quality he has.”
Most of Spain’s recent media attention has been centred around Jude Bellingham’s seamless transition to life at Real Madrid after his big-money summer switch, and rightly so for an England international who, not yet 21, has the world at his feet.
Yet there’s a bigger story emerging from the home of the La Liga champions and another meteoric rise needs to be tempered as their academy graduates blossom in ways beyond their tender years. Lamine Yamal, who turned 16 in July, is the latest.
Having featured in all but one of the side’s pre-season friendlies, he impressed during a cameo from the bench as they were held to a goalless draw away at Getafe on MD1.
He’s started three consecutive league games since – wins over Cadiz, Villarreal and Osasuna – it’s inevitable his profile will rise as he’s exposed to different competitions and environments, like Spain and Champions League football later this month.
The club’s hierarchy are aware and will try protecting him as best they can, while teammate Alejandro Balde has now publicly urged critics to ease their expectations.
During an interview with Sport, the 19-year-old demanded patience for Yamal – something rarely heeded – especially now where everyone seems quick to discard out-of-form talents or those experiencing struggles with their respective situations.
“Lamine is a very quiet child, I’ve known him for a long time at La Masia, we’ve grown pretty much together. He’s a happy, cheerful boy, likes jokes very much.”
As mentioned above, Yamal could make more history over the next few days if he makes a senior appearance, becoming the country’s youngest-ever full international during Euro 2024 qualifiers they’ll bullishly be expecting to win and comfortably too.
A fellow club teammate experienced that milestone little under two years ago, in midfielder Gavi, and an exciting 20-year-old winger who recently made a surprise loan switch to English shores also had that achievement the year prior.
Ansu Fati, captured by Brighton on deadline day for the 2023-24 season, arrived in Barcelona’s senior side to much fanfare and was quickly adored by all – including Lionel Messi – at a time where they needed someone to seize the mantelpiece.
Spain’s latest squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers, in full
Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Real Madrid, on-loan from Chelsea), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal).
Defenders: Daniel Carvajal, Nacho Fernandez and Fran Garcia (all Real), David Garcia (Osasuna), Pau Torres (Aston Villa), Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr), Alejandro Balde (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Atletico Madrid), Jose Gaya (Valencia), Jesus Navas (Sevilla).
Midfielders: Gavi (Barca), Rodri (Manchester City), Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Sergio Canales (Monterrey), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Yeremy Pino and Alejandro Baena (Villarreal).
Forwards: Ansu Fati (Brighton, on-loan from Barca), Lamine Yamal (Barca), Marco Asensio (PSG), Álvaro Morata (Atletico), Joselu (Real), Rodrigo (Al-Rayyan), Abel Ruiz (Braga).
As far as fixtures for this ongoing break, Spain face Georgia on Friday afternoon (5pm KO), before Cyprus await them next week Tuesday (7.45pm KO) as their Euro 2024 qualification bid continues from Group A – where Scotland lead the chasing pack.
Judging by the way Steve Clarke’s side carved them apart at times earlier in the year, this current crop for Spain at senior level poses plenty of work which new manager Luis de la Fuente must complete, and quickly given their high expectations.
Picture source: Getty Images
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