‘Despite the eleven-year age difference‘ — Raphinha opens up on Lamine Yamal bond at Barcelona | OneFootball

Hansi Flick has quite a clear core of players that form this FC Barcelona team, and although he is never shy to make the required rotations, he relies a lot on these players.

Two players who are clearly a part of this core are the wingers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, who are two of the best wingers in the world today, and who also share a very good relationship between themselves, which has been a key ingredient for the Blaugrana side’s success.

This relationship came into focus as SPORT reports that the Brazilian appeared in an interview with TNT. Talking about Yamal, the forward said:

“He is eleven years younger than me. About our celebration together, we saw it on the internet and agreed to do it. It turned out well. It doesn’t have a huge symbolic meaning, maybe more of a brotherhood feeling. I see him very much like a much younger brother. He’s even younger than my little brother. That’s why I see him as a little brother. I try to advise him as much as I can.”

Raphinha also shared how he tries to transmit his experiences to the young winger:

“I also try to pass on my life experience to him. Obviously, because of his individual qualities and talent, there’s nothing I can teach him in that sense. That kind of thing isn’t learned overnight. It’s natural talent. Honestly, I always try to share a bit of my experience with him.”

”He’s a very good kid. He always listens, often asks for advice, and even if he does something silly, we call his attention to it, and he listens. He’s very good, and we have a very good relationship despite the eleven-year age difference.”

Meanwhile, Raphinha also expressed his desire to face Yamal in the final of the upcoming World Cup:

“Neymar and Lamine Yamal agreed on a Brazil–Spain World Cup final. I’d sign up for a match like that in the final too. It would be very good to play a Brazil–Spain final. I have no problem with who is defending for the other side, like Lamine. We also have many players of great quality on our side. It would be incredible. It would be a very interesting match.”

It must be very heartening for Barcelona fans to see two of their stars sharing such a good relationship, which has not only made their dressing room a healthy place, but which has also contributed a lot to the team’s success on the pitch.