Lamine Yamal’s maturity, form and focus as Barça build a protective bubble | OneFootball

After a painful start to the season marked by groin issues, Lamine Yamal looks in outstanding form for Barcelona, who host Mallorca on Saturday at 16:15. L'Équipe notes he has sharpened his focus on and off the pitch.

On Tuesday in Albacete, during the Copa del Rey quarter-final at the Carlos Belmonte, whistles targeted Yamal, and Spanish TV heard some admit they booed simply because he is very good.

After nearly a month out with pubalgia earlier in the campaign, he has surged back. His record stands at 14 goals and 13 assists in 29 matches in all competitions. Beyond numbers, he looks more available and has stepped up his game.

He disliked weeks when pain dictated his game, prompting him to cut future risks. That has meant targeted work and greater commitment, as Hansi Flick wanted.

Publicly he has become quieter, deleting many Instagram posts and using YouTube to manage his message. He also shows closeness to his little brother Keyne, aged three, a role supporters welcome.

Media duties have been reduced by mutual agreement with his camp and Barcelona, building a protective bubble reminiscent of Messi’s early years. He does not intend to change his personality, but keeps evolving towards being a reference in his sport.

In Spain he remains highly visible and heavily targeted. El Chiringuito ran a Lamine or Mbappé poll that finished 58.5% in his favour, a trivial outcome that underlines his place in the debate.

Source: L'Équipe