Ex-Barcelona director reveals battle to delay Lamine Yamal debut as Xavi pushed to play winger at 15 years old

Former sporting director Cruyff has revealed that Xavi Hernandez initially wanted to hand Yamal his debut when the winger was just 15 years old. However, Cruyff and then-director of football Mateu Alemany urged caution. They stepped in to delay Yamal's first-team breakthrough until his contractual situation was secure, citing fears the club might lose control over the prodigious talent without a professional deal in place.

Recalling how Xavi pushed for an early debut, Cruyff detailed how internal discussions delayed the move to protect both player and club, as quoted by SPORT: "Xavi wanted to debut him earlier. We had to discuss it with Mateu. The great thing was that we always worked as a team, decisions were made together and with open dialogue. If he plays 10 games and shows what we're seeing he has... he doesn't have a contract. We're putting him on the market without having him protected."

Cruyff praised Yamal’s then-agent Ivan de la Pena for ensuring the player’s loyalty and calm throughout the process: "He did an exceptional job. He always prioritised football over everything else. We were extremely calm about Ivan: if he debuted, he wouldn't let Barca down."

And even with Jorge Mendes later taking over representation, the club felt secure in the path forward: "He always prioritised the footballing side. With him, we felt very safe: if Lamine debuted, he wouldn’t betray Barca… We knew Mendes wouldn’t hurt Barca."

Barca have always prided themselves on their La Masia academy, but Yamal's meteoric rise even surprised insiders. According to Cruyff, Xavi was convinced by Yamal's brilliance in training and believed he was ready to make an immediate impact with the senior team. However, the sporting department recognised the dangers of exposing a 15-year-old talent to the global spotlight without adequate contractual protection. Their cautious approach was not just about footballing development but also protecting club interests.

With a long-term contract in place and the No.10 shirt on his back, Yamal is firmly positioned as the face of Barca’s future. Now 18, he’s not just a breakout star but a symbol of La Masia’s continued success. The cautious approach from the club's hierarchy has ensured both his protection and Camp Nou’s long-term hold over one of football’s brightest prospects.