Journalist reveals how La Masia and Barcelona saved Lamine Yamal from going off track – ‘They broke all the rules’ | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal’s rise has become one of the most remarkable stories in modern football. 

From a gifted young boy at La Masia to a fully established star for Barcelona, his journey feels familiar to fans, yet there are still details that remain unknown to many. 

Journalist Xavi Torres has shed new light on a crucial chapter in Yamal’s life, revealing just how decisive Barcelona were in shaping his future.

What’s the story?

Before introducing the key revelation, Torres reminded that Yamal’s talent was evident long before he set foot in the first team at the age of just 15. 

But behind the exciting story of a prodigy was a young boy dealing with instability. 

The journalist explained what was really happening at the time and why Barcelona intervened when they did. 

“La Masia saved Lamine Yamal. It’s that simple. Barça saved Lamine because when he was 12 years old, he had lost certain habits related to studying, rest, and nutrition. 

He lived with his mother in Granollers and spent weekends with his father in Rocafonda. But at that time, Barça did not take children his age, nor from Mataró. 

Lamine Yamal’s journey has not been easy. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“Therefore, a double exception had to be made, encouraged by his agent at the time, Ivan de la Pena, and through Jordi Roura, who was the head coach, the director Xavi Vilajoana, and the director of La Masia, Xavi Martin, they decided that if this child was really a bet for the club, it had to be done,” explained the journalist.

Then what happened?

Torres went on to describe how the club’s leadership held a meeting to evaluate the situation and eventually agreed that Yamal needed structure, guidance, and a stable environment. 

Once the decision was made, Barcelona moved quickly and took an unprecedented step. As he detailed the next phase of the youngster’s development, he continued, 

“They broke all the rules, they took him in, and three years later he made his debut with the first team. 

“It’s a clear-cut case of Barça saving Lamine’s career. It’s a clear-cut case that, thanks to Barça, this kid is what he is today. Since he was little, he has lived against the system. He has always had to rebel. 

“He has lived on the streets, he has had to fend for himself; the rules are different from all the ones we have had, in schools, with our parents, with our families, at school. 

“He has lived in environments where the system gives its members no opportunities, and he has grown up that way. And now we all come along to tell him what to do and how to do it,” he concluded.

Source: SPORT