Barcelona defender praises young gem ahead of national team face-off; issues future update | OneFootball

Following impressive displays on loan at Atletico Madrid, Barcelona outcast Clement Lenglet has earned a recall to the French national team.

The 29-year-old defender is part of the Les Bleus squad that will take on Spain in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League next week.

The contest will see Lenglet come face-to-face against some of his Barcelona teammates, including teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

Regarded as the best young footballer across the globe currently, Lamine is coming off an exceptional season at Barcelona and will pose a big threat to France, who had problems stopping him at the UEFA Euro 2024 last year as well.

Lenglet praises Lamine Yamal

As such, Lenglet was asked about Lamine and the 2018 FIFA World Cup winners’ plans to stop the Spain prodigy in the Nations League semi-final.

“There’s a lot of quality in Spain. They have two dangerous players on the flanks. Lamine is an exceptional player for his age,” said Lenglet.

“How do we contain him? Try to defend as a unit, be close to him, give him as little space as possible, and be able to cause problems when we have the ball. With our attacking quality, we’re bound to have moments in the match when we can hurt them,” he added.

Given his accomplishments this season, Lamine finds himself in the conversations for the Ballon d’Or, along with former Barcelona star and Lenglet’s France teammate Ousmane Dembele.

Giving his two cents on who should win the Golden Orb this year, the Barcelona veteran remarked:

“There are several players who had a great season, including friends of mine. I think Ousmane is one of the top candidates, given what he has done throughout the season and the great improvement he has shown in his final touch in front of goal.”

Yamal will be in action for Spain against Lenglet’s France. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)

“I also have friends in Barcelona, ​​I think they had a great season. Even if they didn’t end up with Champions League glory, they were absolutely brilliant throughout the season.”

Continuing, he added: “I’m thinking here of Pedri, and also Lamine who was brilliant with his quality, considering his young age.

“I would also like to add Julian [Alvarez]. Despite the difficult season, he was decisive in all the big matches. This is something that is not appreciated in such awards, but he is a complete player who has excelled throughout the season.”

On his future

Following his solid season, Atletico Madrid wish to sign Lenglet permanently and the player himself is believed to be keen on making the move.

In fact, reports earlier today suggested that the 29-year-old is in talks with Barcelona over a potential contract termination so that he can sign for Atleti before the FIFA Club World Cup in June.

So, when asked for an update on his recent loan stints and his future, Lenglet replied:

“I think I had a good season at Tottenham. Aston Villa was complicated because I didn’t play as much. I don’t know about my future. I’ve got two years left at Barça, and I’ll be a Barça player in 2025/2026.”

Source: Youtube/FFF