Barcelona legend cautions club prodigy about managing expectations – ‘His legs would shake if…’ | OneFootball

Legendary Barcelona forward David Villa has weighed in on the growing responsibility being placed on young Blaugrana talent Lamine Yamal.

At just 18 years old, Yamal has already become a key figure in Barcelona’s attack, a role that has been magnified due to both club and national team demands.

Speaking on Mario Suarez’s video podcast (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Villa reflected on the pressures faced by the teenage prodigy.

“Lamine Yamal’s legs would shake if he realised he was leading Barça and the Spanish national team,” Villa said, highlighting that the best thing for Yamal at this stage is to enjoy football without overthinking the weight of expectation.

Preparing for the big stage

Currently, Yamal is nursing an injury, but he is racing against time to return to action after the international break.

Lamine Yamal is already a key player for Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

If all goes to plan, he will feature for around 30 to 45 minutes as a substitute against Girona before returning to the starting lineup in Barcelona’s Champions League clash against Olympiacos, where he is expected to play between 60 and 70 minutes.

If everything goes according to the blueprint, Yamal will be fully fit and ready for the highly anticipated El Clasico against Real Madrid on October 26.

This careful management shows how Barcelona are balancing the development of their young star with the immediate demands of top-level football.

For Barcelona, ensuring that Yamal remains confident and injury-free is crucial, as he is expected to play a pivotal role not only in domestic competitions but also on the European stage.

With the El Clasico approaching and Yamal’s fitness returning, Barcelona can look forward to seeing their young prodigy take centre stage, hopefully combining his talent with the right level of guidance and support.