Toni Kroos warns Lamine Yamal 'success doesn’t only depend on the pitch' as Real Madrid icon issues 'not normal' verdict on Barcelona wonderkid

While Kroos heaped praise on Yamal for his exceptional performances for Barcelona and Spain, despite being only a teenager, the German midfielder also warned the player over maintaining consistency over a longer period of time, which will ultimately determine his legacy in the sport.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Germany icon said: "I also made the Bayern first team at 17, but I wasn’t at his level, which is spectacular. I’ve never seen anything like it at that age. I’m talking about the consistency of his performances, because the natural talent is obvious.

"What makes me think that this boy is special is his constant search for prominence on the pitch: in difficult moments, he always steps up, and at 17 years of age, that is not normal. He was the protagonist of two excellent seasons, the last one even spectacular; I have never seen a kid like him."

Kroos added: "I always say that a career is not a sprint, but a marathon, so we will see what happens in the next 5-10 seasons, if he continues to grow and how he reacts to everything that comes into football from outside. Success doesn’t only depend on the pitch; it depends on what happens outside. It has a big impact, and you have to know how to handle different aspects of life."

Yamal will lead Barcelona's frontline again next season alongside Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha as they aim to defend their domestic crowns and win a sixth Champions League title. With the 2026 World Cup also looming, the pressure and spotlight will only grow for the Spanish wonderkid.