‘If there’s a player who excites me…‘ — Zinedine Zidane can’t stop praising Barcelona star | OneFootball

The FC Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal continues to capture the admiration of fans and football legends alike with his exceptional talent and maturity on the field. Since breaking into the first team, the Spanish winger has become one of the most entertaining and effective players in European football.

His performances have not only earned him praise from Barcelona supporters and neutral fans, but also from figures who are traditionally less inclined to applaud a player from the Catalan side. One of the most notable among them is former Real Madrid star and coach Zinedine Zidane.

Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Zidane once again expressed his admiration for the 18-year-old during his appearance at the Festival dello Sport in Trento. Speaking about the Barcelona forward, the French legend said:

“If there’s a player who excites me when he touches the ball, it’s Lamine Yamal. He was the player who did everything on the field against Inter at San Siro last season — he did it all by himself.”

Zidane’s words carry special weight, given his status as one of Real Madrid’s greatest icons and one of the most respected figures in European football.

At the same event, former Manchester City and Inter Milan forward Mario Balotelli also named Yamal among his favorite players. When asked who he considers the best in the world right now, Balotelli said:

For Yamal, receiving such praise from football greats like Zidane is undoubtedly a source of pride and motivation. Hopefully, he will continue to showcase his amazing talents as he returns to the pitch after the injury that has kept him out for the past few weeks.