Barcelona defensive ace waxes lyrical about Lamine Yamal – ‘One of the best in the world’ | OneFootball

There is no doubt that Lamine Yamal is the next big thing in football. The youngster has already become the present, having finished second in the Ballon d’Or rankings this year.

But as his performances continue to raise eyebrows, there has been increased scrutiny on the personal aspect of the youngster’s life.

Indeed, Yamal has found himself on the crosshairs of media over the past year or so, often facing criticism for his parties, holiday trips and girlfriends, which in turn, has raised questions about his commitment to football.

Ronald Araujo praises Yamal

However, Yamal has recently received praise from his teammate Ronald Araujo, who has lauded his work ethic and has called him a true professional.

“Lamine is very professional, trains well, and what he does in matches, he does in training. He runs and scores.

“There are a lot of discussions outside, but the most important thing is what he does on the pitch, what he does when he trains or plays,” he said. (h/t Movistar+).

Araujo full of praise for Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Similar words have been echoed time and time again by Spanish national team coach Luis de la Fuente, who is impressed with the way Yamal trains.

“And I don’t see him as bad; on the contrary, I see him in excellent condition, I see him as very professional,” Araujo said, talking about Yamal’s overall state.

“He is young and faces a lot of pressure because he is one of the best players in the world, so it’s natural for that to happen,” he added.

This comes at a time when Barcelona sporting director Deco and Yamal’s agent Jorge Mendes have reportedly met to discuss Yamal’s lifestyle, among other things.

Araujo, though, is delighted to have Yamal as his teammate. “But he is an amazing player, a great person, and has a wonderful family, and that’s what matters most,” he concluded.