Within FC Barcelona, it has become a norm of sorts to trust youth prospects with great responsibilities. While it may be uncommon to see players barely of legal age light up the European stage, it is now a tradition for Barça. Moreover, in the coming years, Barcelona hopes to further grow this tradition.
Right now, the great spearhead of this project of youth is undoubtedly Lamine Yamal. Despite his tender age of 16, the young Spanish winger fears no task and fears no opponent. His capabilities are incredible, and his potential is, as of yet, a complete unknown.
Beyond just the fans and his coaches, however, even former icons of the game continue to adore and admire him. Patrick Kluivert, a footballing icon who formerly played for Barcelona and the Dutch National team, also spoke about Yamal’s great abilities in a recent interview shared by Bleacher Report.
Asked to comment on the current state of La Masia and how it continues to grow, Kluivert singled out Yamal as a great anomaly who continues to surprise him: “It’s ridiculous. At 16 years old, to be such an important player at the moment already. It’s quite frightening.”
He also spoke about the goals that he scores, and the way he carries himself. Nothing but praise for the young Spanish winger came from the mouth of the Dutch icon, and given that his own son is currently in the Barcelona academy, he seems to stay in touch with the club’s development.
However, he did throw a random caution out as well. Speaking about overplaying youngsters, he spoke about the adverse impact that too much playing time at an early stage had on Ansu Fati and Gavi, and it is something that Barcelona should remain mindful of when taking care of their newer talents such as Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi.
