Former Barcelona manager hails teenage prodigy as future football genius – ‘He’s the chosen one’ | OneFootball

Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has once again showered praise on teenage forward Lamine Yamal, insisting the 18-year-old has the potential to become the best player of his generation.

In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Xavi reflected on the talent he had the chance to debut in FC Barcelona’s first team.

“He’s the ‘chosen one,’ he could be one of the geniuses in the history of football, and it depends on him, his ambition, his passion,” he began saying.

Xavi went on to recall the prodigy’s early displays of brilliance, even as a teenager.

“At 15 or 16 years old, he would dribble past professionals, and even in training, in the coaching staff, we often wondered who was the best, and practically every day, or almost, it was him,” he said.

“He did special things, things you’d only see Neymar, Messi, players of that calibre do. I saw him ready, and I wasn’t afraid.

“He wasn’t afraid either, he had no complexes, he can make a difference. What he does at his age is wonderful.”

Reflection on his career choices

Xavi admits he could have left Barcelona. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

In the same interview, Xavi also spoke about his own playing career and the moments when he considered leaving Barcelona for other clubs.

He revealed that Inter Milan and Bayern Munich were among the teams interested in signing him.

“In 2008, when we were coming off a rough patch at Barcelona and many blamed me for not bringing the team forward, Inter wanted me.

“Bayern Munich was also interested, but Guardiola eventually took over as first-team coach, and that changed everything,” he explained.

He added more detail about the near-transfer to Milan. “I was close to leaving Barcelona twice. The first time was for AC Milan.

“I spoke with Galliani after the U-20 World Cup with Spain. The Rossoneri really liked me, but I decided to stay at Barcelona,” he concluded.