“When we were 16, we were making jokes in school” - Real Madrid legend lavishes praise on ‘special’ Lamime Yamal
Former Real Madrid star Nacho has heaped praise on Barcelona teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. This comes in the wake of the 16-year-old's impressive performance at Euro 2024 with the Spanish national team.
Yamal is currently one of the youngest players at the competition but that hasn't deterred him from lighting up the tournament with his impeccable talent.
The Barcelona winger has taken part in all three of Spain's Euro 2024 games thus far and could once again feature in their round-of-16 clash against Georgia later today, June 30.
Yamal's performances have impressed his teammate Nacho. The 34-year-old defender labeled Yamal as 'special' while speaking about the Barcelona forward during a pre-match press conference.
Nacho said (via Madrid Zone on X):
“Lamine Yamal is special. When we were 16, we were making jokes at school.”
Yamal, who turns 17 next month, has already achieved a whole lot this season, raking in a combined total of 3131 minutes of football action for both club and country. He has registered one assist for Spain at the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament.
Nacho speaks on his decision to quit Real Madrid
The Spanish defender recently called it quits with La Liga giants to sign for Saudi Arabian club side Al Qadsiah, making him the latest big-name player to leave Europe for the oil-rich Saudi league.
Nacho, who joined Real Madrid in 2001, went on to spend a combined total of 13 years with the club's first team, since making his senior debut in a 6-3 away victory against Valencia in April 2013.
The Spanish international would go on to win a host of trophies with Los Blancos during his time at Santiago Bernabeu. Following his exit from the club, Nacho revealed that it was one of the toughest decisions he had ever made. The defender said, as quoted by SBNation:
"The decision to leave Real Madrid is the toughest of my life. I told the club many months ago. I wanted a new experience. I need a new experience. Real Madrid is the best thing that happened in my life. It ended in the best possible way.”
Nacho is currently on international duty with Spain at the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament in Germany. He will be hoping to use his experience to help La Furia Roja lift the trophy for the first time since 2012.