Lamine Yamal reveals bizarre training method which might be secret behind Barcelona wonderkid's incredible early success

At just 17 years of age, the Barcelona wonderkid has already passed 50 competitive appearances for La Liga giants, become a European Championship winner with Spain and made the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

A meteoric rise to the top has been enjoyed – earning comparisons to fellow La Masia academy graduate Lionel Messi along the way. Yamal has made the step up into senior football with consummate ease and is being tipped to become a Golden Ball winner of the future.

Yamal has revealed how humble beginnings helped to catapult him to superstardom, with the teenager not one to rest on his laurels as he seeks out the biggest of challenges – even if that can mean adopting some strange methods. He has told L’Equipe of honing his skills: “I'm a guy who doesn't like being at a higher level, like what happened to me in youth categories, because I don't like to relax or take it easy. I always prefer it to be more difficult. I’d rather not play than play everything and have it be too easy.

“I always went everywhere with my ball. I used to carry it in a bag to school. In class, I used to hide it because the teacher wouldn't let me have it. I always played with my dogs because my father said they wouldn’t bite, so I’d run with them. Playing against a dog is the hardest thing you can do.”

Yamal’s canine companions should be proud of the part that they have played in the development of a hot prospect that may go on to become a legend. Starring roles continue to be played for club and country, with there no sign of the youngster allowing complacency to set in.