"A player who makes a difference" - Barcelona star backs teammate Lamine Yamal to get better if he keeps doing one essential thing
Barcelona star Jules Kounde has backed Lamine Yamal to replicate the form he displayed at the Euro 2024 in La Liga next season. The Frenchman sees great potential for the 17-year-old talent in his future.
Yamal earned his first-team promotion at the Camp Nou in July 2023. The young winger shined with his excellent performances for the Blaugrana in his debut season last term. He registered 50 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists.
Yamal went on to impress with his displays at the Euro 2024 for Spain, helping them win the tournament in Germany. He contributed four assists, the most by a player in this edition, and scored in La Roja's 2-1 victory over France in the semi-finals. Yamal broke a host of records last season, including becoming the youngest player to score in the history of La Liga and the Euros.
Jules Kounde expects Yamal to continue his exceptional form next season as well and believes Yamal has nowhere to go but up from hereon. During an interview with ESPN, the Barcelona defender said:
"I expect to see the same from him that we saw last season and at the Euros. He has grown a lot, and he is a player who makes a difference. He listens and learns and if he keeps doing that, he can only get better."
Barcelona will face Valencia in their opening game of the 2024-25 La Liga campaign on August 17.
"I hope he keeps his feet on the ground" - Barcelona star offers Lamine Yamal crucial advice
Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen has offered Lamine Yamal some crucial advice on how to cope with the pressure of playing at the highest level.
During an interview with ESPN, Ter Stegen was asked whether he was surprised by Yamal's extraordinary debut campaign. The German shot-stopper first credited former Barcelona manager Xavi for giving Yamal the opportunity before praising the winger.
He said:
"Let's see... First of all, it must be said that in order to knock down the door, someone has to give you the opportunity and Xavi gave him the opportunity to compete in all the games.
"Then it is true that Lamine has something special. We have seen it in the team and we have also seen it in the Euro Cup. He is a different player and he still has room to continue improving because he is a footballer who makes a difference."
Ter Stegen was then asked about the pressure that comes with playing for Barcelona in the Spanish top tier. He responded with some advice for Yamal, saying:
"I hope he keeps his feet on the ground, because I've heard that he has a great future and more things... For him, it has to be important to concentrate on the moment and enjoy it, but continue working for the team as he has done until now."
Yamal hasn't featured in any of Barca's pre-season games so far due to his vacation after the Euro triumph with Spain.