“Inshallah he stays healthy” - Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger makes feelings clear about Barcelona star Lamine Yamal
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has waxed lyrical about Barcelona's rising star, Lamine Yamal, and hopes he remains fit to continue flourishing. The Blaugrana wonderkid has made a blistering start to his career, becoming the club's youngest player and goalscorer.
Rudiger spoke highly of Yamal and put the El Clasico rivalry to one side to praise the Spanish attacker. The Real Madrid center-back said (via Madrid Xtra):
"Lamine Yamal? You have to say… Yamal has a huge future ahead of him. Inshallah he stays healthy. The player he already is there at 17. He has a bright future."
Yamal has started this season in scintillating fashion, registering five goals and as many assists in 10 games across competitions. He enjoyed a memorable Euro 2024 campaign with winners Spain, posting one goal and four assists and was named Young Player of the Tournament.
Barcelona's squad is brimming with exciting young talent, including Yamal and Pau Curbasi, 17. They have helped the Catalans make an excellent start to the season, sitting top of the La Liga table with a three-point lead over Real Madrid.
Los Blancos have taken a different approach to building their squad under Carlo Ancelotti. They have relied on the transfer market, bringing world class talent such as Kylian Mbappe, 25, and Jude Bellingham, 21, to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Cesc Fabregas on how Barcelona's coaching differs from Real Madrid's amid Lamine Yamal's meteoric rise
Cesc Fabregas gave an interesting take on Barcelona's coaching at youth level regarding their esteemed La Masia academy. Their former midfield maestro explained how those who have risen through the youth ranks in Catalonia may struggle elsewhere:
"This [La Masia focusing too much on systems and tactics] could be a positive thing or sometimes even negative. If you don’t make it to Barcelona’s first team and then you go to a different club, you may face problems."
Barca has run into financial troubles over the past few years, which has made the emergence of talent from the La Masia academy vital. Yamal is the biggest star to break from the youth system, making his senior debut at age 15 in April 2023.
Fabregas feels Real Madrid's strategy regarding squad planning means their players have a better opportunity to work out should they leave:
"In Madrid it’s the opposite. They teach you to win, but in different ways. So a lot of players from the Madrid academy end up leaving [the club] and are comfortable playing around Europe."
Yamal has become one of the first names on Hansi Flick's teamsheet this season, which shows his incredible rise. Other talents are making the step up to the senior team, including Spanish defensive midfielder Marc Casado, 21.