Robert Lewandowski thinks a lot of Lamine Yamal in terms of football, but is just as concerned because he is only 16 years old, combined with the hype and the growing expectations. He is “not ready” mentally, warns the star striker of FC Barcelona, who also criticizes the style of play and refereeing in Spain.
Lamine Yamal: FC Barcelona produces new super talent
30 minutes against FC Getafe (0-0), 85 minutes against FC Cádiz, 76 minutes with two assists against FC Villarreal – and then also the first nomination for the squad of the Spanish national team: Lamine Yamal will certainly have to pinch himself one time or another these days, whether everything he experiences as a newly minted professional at FC Barcelona is true. For your information, the winger is just 16 years old but is already in the spotlight.
Robert Lewandowski could be his father at the age of 35. According to the Polish striker, he was amazed in training when he saw Yamal shine for the first time. He did not give the impression of an ordinary talent, he said in an interview on the Polish YouTube channel “Meczki”.
As much as the veteran likes the youngster in terms of football, he is extremely critical of the rapid and apparently forced development. “Should I be honest? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a player at that level at that age. On the other hand, I’m afraid it’s too early for him,” Lewandowski said openly.
Lewandowski: “It’s still a child, he’s 16 years old”
“That’s just a kid, he’s 16 years old. Now everyone is fascinated by him, but you have to realize what lies ahead. Now the fascination is there, but this also creates expectations. So I’m saying that this boy should just live, have another childhood. But what you can do at his age, he can’t do anymore – because he’s playing in the first team,” he said.
Lewandowski also wonders “if he is mentally ready for it. And you don’t get the answer to that now. How many players who were in the first team at a top club by the age of 16 are still playing at that level in their 30s? You won’t find any there. Maybe a player or two. Even if we take Lionel Messi. He started at 17, 18 but also raised the bar.” The resulting comparisons that a number of talents are exposed to are “the worst”.
Only 16 years old: Lamine Yamal nominated for Spain’s national team for the first time
Lewandowski warns against too fast steps at Yamal
Withstanding public pressure is “much more difficult for today’s generation. Social media, the flood of information… It used to be easier, I think. There wasn’t that much reading, there wasn’t that much information circulating, these videos, these comments, all that. You read the newspaper, the Internet was just emerging. Let’s not lie to each other: the mind of a 16-year-old is not ready for this. For such a boy, such a child, it’s a big challenge – for him, for the environment, for the club, that you don’t break the balance, that you don’t skip things that you just can’t skip,” warns ” Lewy” from not burning Yamal, preferring instead to carefully take one step at a time.
Lewandowski slams La Liga: ‘Many don’t want to play football’
The Polish national team captain’s concern may also stem from the fact that the talent should not be exposed to opponents game day after game day in a league that is increasingly falling into disrepute due to its tough pace and defensive style of play.
Lewandowski is openly bothered by it. “The Spanish league is always exploited by teams who don’t want to play football. There are many teams that don’t want to play football, they play very defensively. If I compare this league with other leagues, it’s not one that moves in the direction of attacking and attractive football,” said the Barça number 9, who also doesn’t ignore the referees.
“They misinterpret a lot of situations. I don’t know if they would like to do it differently, but have it imposed from above. La Liga doesn’t want to encourage attacking play. Sometimes so many things are allowed defensively and if I then commit a foul, the interpretation is immediately: foul, preferably a yellow card as well,” said the two-time world footballer of his impressions.
Only at the start of the season did he experience such an encounter with the Catalans in a 0-0 draw against a desolate Getafe FC. Lewandowski: “The referees should know before the game that this is not a team that doesn’t want to play football, that simulates, that provokes, fouls a lot. I understand that it’s difficult for the referees, but they don’t help you fight such games. On the contrary.”
Highlights Getafe FC 0:0 Barcelona FC | Lots of cards, no goals
2023-09-03 00:33:16
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