"He was the link between us" - Nico Williams names Barcelona star responsible for his 'nice relationship' with Lamine Yamal
Spanish winger Nico Williams has named the player who helped him to get to know Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal. The Athletico Biblao winger revealed that another youngster Alejandro Balde is responsible for his friendship with the talented 16-year-old.
Both players enjoy a close relationship on and off the pitch and the Bilbao starlet has been tipped to make a move to Catalonia this summer as well. The Spaniard opened up on his relationship with Lamine Yamal and how it started, saying (via Barca Universal):
“We get along very well. We’re not just team-mates, we’re also friends, and I think that’s something that also matters when it comes to leading a team to the big time, Balde is the reason, he was the link between us. "
He continued:
“The first time we met, Lamine joined Balde and me and after that, we started talking and we saw that we had a lot of similar topics of conversation. That’s also when the banter started and now I think we have a nice relationship.”
Williams will be focused on winning the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament with his friend Lamine Yamal. If the duo can lead La Roja to a fourth European title, it would see the Barcelona starlet become the youngest player to ever win the competition.
What Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal have said about potentially playing together at Barcelona
Barcelona have been linked with a move for Bilbao youngster Nico Williams this summer. The 21-year-old is close friends with Lamine Yamal, who is seen as the future of the club and will likely be keen to play alongside him for Blaugrana.
Both players have not hidden their desire to potentially play together in Catalonia, with Lamal keen to have his friend join him and Williams undoubtedly keen to join one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Speaking about a potential move, Nico Williams said (via Barca Universal):
“Everything that comes from outside is good, it means I’m doing my job well. Every kid dreams of being noticed by big clubs. I’m focused on doing well at the European Championship, and whatever comes after that I’ll find out because these days I’m totally disconnected.”
When asked about playing alongside Williams at Barcelona, Lamine Yamal previously told COPE:
“Nico Williams? I am his father in everything, I beat him in everything we play. I hope one day I will be able to share the dressing room with him at Barça."
The Catalan outfit's financial issues could make a deal for Nico Williams difficult to engineer but the Bilbao youngster will be eager to play alongside Lamine Yamal at Barca.