“Nobody can understand what he’s doing” - Ex-Chelsea and Manchester United star Juan Mata rates Lamine Yamal at Euro 2024
Former Manchester United and Chelsea star Juan Mata has labeled Euro 2024 breakout star Lamine Yamal a mystery. The 17-year-old winger has been a revelation over the last 12 months, taking club and national football by storm.
His performances have impressed Mata, a former Spanish international who claimed the World Cup with La Roja. He complimented the youngster in a recent interview with Legend's Lounge, saying:
“Lamine Yamal is just incredible. Nobody can understand what he’s doing. He’s playing at the top level, but if you think about his age, when we were 16, I can’t imagine myself being half of the player he is [now]."
The Former Manchester United and Chelsea star concluded by hailing Lamine Yamal's La Roja teammate and friend Nico Williams, saying:
“It’s not only him [though], it’s Nico Williams on the other side. Dani Olmo finding the pockets [of space], it’s Fabian [Ruiz] and Rodri in the middle, Laporte from the back, everyone is playing at a very high level.”
Juan Mata played 41 games for Spain, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists en route to winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2012 Euros. He will hope Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams can help the nation win a fourth European championship with a victory over England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
Euro 2024 breakout star Lamine Yamal talks about baby pictures with Lionel Messi
Euro 2024 star Lamine Yamal has addressed his recently released baby pictures with Lionel Messi. The Spaniard has been phenomenal since he arrived on the scene as a 16-year-old. He now looks to be the most exciting prospect from Catalonia since La Pulga.
Recently, an image of a baby Yamal being washed in a tub by Barcelona legend Lionel Messi came out. The youngster said about the images, via Barca Blaugranes:
“Obviously, in the moment the photos were taken I wasn’t conscious of what was going on at that age. My dad had the photos saved and they never came out, basically because we didn’t want the comparisons with Messi."
The Barcelona winger concluded:
“No one would be annoyed to be compared with the best to ever play the game, but it’s something that could work against you because you’re never going to be like him.”
Yamal is set to help Spain to glory at Euro 2024 when he plays in the final on Sunday (July 14) against England in Berlin. Despite his desire to avoid comparisons with Lionel Messi, they are unlikely to stop as he continues his magical rise in the sport.