Real Madrid legend amazed by Barcelona teenage superstar – ‘He excites me’ | OneFootball

It is not often that a Real Madrid legend openly admits admiration for a Barcelona player.

Yet, Zinedine Zidane, one of the most respected figures in world football, has done exactly that.

The French, who enjoyed glory days at Real Madrid both as a player and a manager, has once again praised Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, calling him the player who excites him the most in world football right now.

In a recent media appearance, Zidane was asked which players currently capture his imagination. Without hesitation, he named the 18-year-old Barça star.

“Regardless of position, one player who excites me when he touches the ball is Lamine Yamal.

“Against Inter last year in the Champions League at San Siro, he did it all on his own.

“Then I think of Vitinha or Joao Neves. They never lose the ball,” said Zidane.

Yamal’s continues to earn admiration

What makes this recognition even more special is that it is not the first time Zidane has spoken so glowingly about Yamal.

During a publicity event earlier this year, in May, Zidane was equally emphatic in his admiration.

Zidane has once again praised Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Qatar Airways)

“When you see him play, for example, the semi-final against Inter Milan. In the second half… I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.

“It’s enough to see someone who is so dominant on the pitch. It’s fabulous to see him like that.

“So we all enjoy ourselves and that’s why, for all these young people, Lamine is the one to watch,” he said at the time.

For a player barely out of his teens, to be singled out by someone of Zidane’s stature speaks volumes.

It is also a powerful reflection of how far Yamal has come in such a short time.

Barcelona have always been a club defined by generational talents, from Xavi and Iniesta to Messi and now Yamal.

Zidane’s words add further weight to the growing belief that Yamal is not just another young player breaking through, but the next great emblem of Barça’s footballing philosophy.

Source: SPORT