Lamine Yamal earns special praise from legendary French coach: ‘A different team with him’ | OneFootball

Former Barcelona defender Laurent Blanc has singled out Lamine Yamal as the player who has elevated Spain into one of the strongest contenders at the FIFA World Cup, while also reserving special praise for Lionel Messi’s remarkable performances with Argentina.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Blanc, who played for Barcelona in the 1996/97 season and later managed the French national team, reflected on the tournament so far and highlighted the teams that have impressed him the most. 

Interestingly, when discussing his favourites to lift the trophy, he mentioned only two players by name – Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.

Unpredictable World Cup

Assessing the matches that have been played so far, Blanc stressed that no nation can afford to underestimate any opponent at this World Cup.

He began, “It seems clear to me that there are no easy matches. 

Lamine Yamal has made the world talk. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

“Cape Verde drew with Spain, Congo held Portugal, Qatar drew 1-1 with Switzerland, Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands, while Ghana stopped England. I could go on. 

“At international level, you always have to play at your best and with maximum concentration.”

Blanc highlights Yamal’s impact on Spain

Furthermore, when asked to identify the strongest teams in the competition, Blanc made a particularly telling observation about Spain.

He replied: “Germany are strong, Spain with Yamal are a different team, Messi’s Argentina are the reigning champions and must be respected, then there’s Ancelotti’s Brazil. 

“Among the ‘surprises’, I’d include Switzerland and Morocco.”

Messi has scored five goals at the World Cup. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)

The inclusion of Lamine Yamal alongside Lionel Messi as the only players specifically mentioned shows just how highly the former Barcelona defender rates the teenager’s influence on Spain’s performances.

Blanc amazed by Messi’s extraordinary form

While the Barcelona teenage starlet earned significant praise, Blanc also took time to admire Messi’s remarkable longevity.

Despite turning 39, the Argentine captain has continued to dominate the tournament, scoring five goals in his opening two matches and once again proving decisive on the biggest stage.

“Incredible. I played until almost 38, but for a defender, it’s easier: experience and positional sense help you. 

“For him, however, who has to score and needs pace, explosiveness, dribbling… And to think he’s just turned 39… He really is a phenomenon,” he concluded.