Barcelona icon backs young phenom for Ballon d’Or – ‘He will win it one day, for sure’ | OneFootball

Speaking at a public appearance earlier today, former Barcelona and Spain forward David Villa waxed lyrical over teenage phenom Lamine Yamal, expressing awe at his amazing quality while backing him for the Ballon d’Or in the future.

The 17-year-old wonderkid is enjoying an absolute dream season with the Barcelona first team, emerging as the talisman of the team, helping them win Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup while La Liga is also almost in the bag.

David Villa amazed by Lamine

Explaining in detail what makes Lamine stand out, Villa pointed out the confidence and the general vibe he gives out when on the field and how his teammates often tend to look to him in difficult moments.

“I think just watching Barça play, not only what he gives off when he has the ball but what other teammates give off,” started Villa.

“The other day, he is never going to stop surprising us, but the last few minutes against Inter gave me the feeling that practically all the teammates were looking for him.”

“Like the last few minutes when you needed to solve the game because you were behind on the scoreboard or level on the scoreboard, it seemed that Barça’s players were looking for him more than normal knowing that he could solve the game,” he added.

Unmatched aura. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Villa then stressed how hard it is to play for a club like Barcelona and marvelled at how Lamine Yamal is able to do it so effortlessly despite being only 17.

“That at 17 years of age is a real shocking thing to do in a club like Barça. With respect to other clubs, it’s difficult to play for Barça. That aura, or call it what you will, is very difficult to spot and he transmits it,” said Villa.

“I think it’s something fantastic, I think we all have to look after him, help him, wait for him when he has bad moments because he will have them, because he’s still a kid. He has a talent ahead of him and a brutal future.”

When asked if he thinks Lamine will win the Ballon d’Or, the former forward replied: “We’ll see, I think he has done well. There’s still a few weeks left in the season and you know it’s an award that I’ve never really believed in him. He will win it one day, for sure.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo