Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal names 29-year-old Real Madrid star as toughest opponent on the pitch
Barcelona midfielder Lamine Yamal has named Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy as the toughest opponent he has come up against. The 17-year-old is one of the most promising young players in the game.
Yamal enjoyed a breakthrough 2023-24 campaign with the Blaugrana, registering seven goals and nine assists in 50 games across competitions even as Xavi's side endured a trophyless campaign.
The youngster carried over his good form to the European Championships in Germany in the summer. Yamal contributed a goal and four assists as Spain beat England 2-1 in the final to win a record fourth continental table.
Yamal has started brightly in the current campaign under new boss Hansi Flick, registering six goals and 12 assists in 21 games across competitions. In an interaction with Marca (via Madrid Xtra), he named teammate Ronald Araujo as the toughest to face in training and Los Blancos full-back Ferland Mendy, 29, as the toughest opponent he has faced:
"Toughest opponent? In training, Araujo. As a rival? Maybe Ferland Mendy."
Yamal and Co. are coming off a surprise 1-0 home loss to Leganes in La Liga at the weekend. Meanwhile, defending champions Real Madrid also dropped points, drawing 3-3 at Rayo Vallecano.
What's next for Barcelona and Real Madrid?
Barcelona and Real Madrid have had decent seasons but have stuttered recently. As mentioned above, both teams dropped points in La Liga at the weekend, a sequence of results that kept the Blaugrana atop the standings, ahead of Atletico Madrid on goal difference, having played a game more.
Hansi Flick's side were undone at home by a Sergio Gonzalez strike in the fourth minute, which turned out to be the only goal of the game. The Blaugrana will look to return to winning ways when they take on Atletico at home in the league on Saturday (December 22).
Meanwhile, Los Blancos failed to fully capitalise on their arch-rivals' defeat. Carlo Ancelotti's side recovered from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 after 56 minutes. But Isi Palazion's strike eight minutes later ensured a share of the spoils, leaving Madrid a point behind the Blaugrana, in third.
They next take on Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar on Wednesday (December 18) before hosting Sevilla in La Liga four days later. Ancelotti's side will move to the top if they win and the 1-2 clash between Barca and Atletico ends in a stalemate.