‘He can mark an era in football’ - Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal given ultimate compliment by Xavi as Blaugrana boss praises youngster for being ‘mature and humble’

Xavi has spoken glowingly about Yamal, who is still only 16 but arguably one of Barcelona's best and most important players already, suggesting the youngster has everything about him to be an era-defining player.

Xavi said at a recent press conference: "I see him very calm. He is very measured in the sense that he is digesting everything that is happening to him very well, despite his young age. He is a mature person, he is responsible, he is aware of the situation he is experiencing. He's very humble and he's showing us that he's a differential player. He is a player that can mark an era in football, especially at Barcelona. Hopefully we can always enjoy him at this level. He's a teenage boy who's growing up. On a mental level, he is a cheerful, joking boy. He's enjoying himself. He's happy."

Even at his age, Yamal has featured in all but one of Barcelona's 30 La Liga games so far this season. With six goals and seven assists in all competitions, his 13 goal involvements is only marginally less than far more established and experienced players like Joao Felix, Ferran Torres (both 15) and Raphinha (16). Only Felix, Torres and Robert Lewandowski have scored more goals this season.

Prior to becoming an international for Spain and making six senior appearances for La Roja to date, Yamal was also eligible to represent Morocco or Equatorial Guinea through his parents.

Yamal will hope to continue playing an important role for Barcelona in the closing stages of 2023-24. The Catalans are eight points adrift off La Liga leaders Real Madrid with eight games to go but will be determined to keep the pressure on and might even fancy their chances of catching their great rivals if they can win this month's Clasico at the Bernabeu on April 21.

Xavi's side are also still active in the Champions League, with the first leg of a quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain to come on April 10. Looking further ahead, Yamal also has his eye on not only going to Euro 2024 with Spain this coming summer, but the Olympics straight after as well.