‘Impossible at 15’ - The 50 minutes that proved Lamine Yamal is ‘special’ as Robert Lewandowski admits to learning from Barcelona wonderkid

Having worked his way through the fabled La Masia academy system, Yamal was promoted to the first-team ranks at just 15 years of age. He immediately caught the eye of senior stars in Catalunya, with it clear from the off that he was a global superstar in the making.

Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski told BBC Sport of his first look at Yamal, who has been likened to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi: “It is the first time in my life I saw after 50 minutes that he had something special. I didn't believe it because I didn't see this kind of player at this age - I thought this is impossible at 15.”

Yamal has now passed his 18th birthday, signing a new lucrative contract and inheriting the No.10 shirt at Camp Nou that eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi once wore with such distinction. He is expected to claim his own Golden Ball at some point in the not too distant future.

Lewandowski has competed for that prize himself and, at 36 years of age, admits that he can still take important lessons from younger colleagues. The prolific frontman added: “I understood that I cannot fight with them but I can help them and they can also help me. I learn from them a lot. I didn't think it would happen like that.

“When I see that I still don't have to catch the young guys, that they still have to catch me, it means this next season can also be very good. I am still there to show the best performance from myself.”

Lewandowski hit 42 goals last season, as La Liga champions Barca picked up three domestic trophies, and he will be hoping to thrive alongside Yamal and new arrival Marcus Rashford once clear of an untimely injury that will delay his start to the 2025-26 campaign.