Barcelona director opens up on Lamine Yamal injury, contract situation and Messi comparisons | OneFootball

It is no coincidence that Barcelona have failed to win the two games that Lamine Yamal did not start for the team, with the defeat against Real Sociedad being the latest one.

After all, the 17-year-old is already the heartbeat of the team in attack and is the single-largest creative presence for the Blaugrana under Hansi Flick.

Yamal’s latest injury sees him miss out on joining up with the Spanish national team, but the rest he will get as a result may well be what his body requires after a hectic start to the season.

Deco speaks on Yamal

Speaking to the media in a recent interview, Barcelona sporting director Deco explored the topic of Lamine Yamal in depth addressing not only his talent but also the recent injury blow that the player suffered.

He began by addressing the elephant in the room, Yamal’s injury, and how the player was at the time of the interview.

“I think everything was sent to the Spanish Football Federation. When a player has a physical problem, doctors talk to those of the federations. In the case of Pruna, who has been in football and Barça for many years, he knows them all,” he said on the steps taken by Barcelona to ensure he doesn’t travel to the national team.

“The RFEF decides whether the player should travel or not, and in the case of Lamine, for all the tests they did to him, they say that he does not have to travel. From here, we will treat it and take care of it so that he is back as soon as possible,” he added.

Deco was then asked why Yamal even travelled with the team to the Basque country if he was injured, to which he said,

“The manager has the rule to summon them, they all come and then decisions are made before making the squad list. Lamine had a doubt because, during the morning training, he noticed discomfort in a sprint.”

Currently injured. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

“As he was already here, the decision was made to travel and the decision was made not to include him during the afternoon. This can happen many times,” he added.

On Yamal’s contractual situation

The sporting director was then quizzed on whether there was concern in the Catalan capital over losing the player in the years to come, especially given how he has attracted interest from across the globe.

“It is normal for a player like Lamine or others we have to arouse the interest of clubs, it is normal. We know what the market is like and what the clubs are like.”

“Lamine is very young but he is very mature for his age. I imagine and I see that he is happy to be here,” he added.

He then added that the player knows he has what it takes to go down as a legend at the biggest club in the world and that his leaving, thus, was improbable.

“With everything in front of him at Barça, I would dare to say that it is very difficult to change for another club.”

“A player that Barça has and who can have a spectacular history in the club I don’t think he will change it for another, but that’s something that touches us. We are very happy with Lamine, he has to be valued like the others and must build his story,” he elaborated.

Barcelona very happy with Yamal. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Finally, he transmitted calmness over the situation as the sporting director and ensured that everything was under control.

“We are calm, there is no concern in this regard but the club has to do what it has to do. There’s nothing else.”

“As much as you have contracts and clauses, the most important thing is that the players feel happy and comfortable and want to make history in the club, it is the most important thing,” he concluded.

On comparisons with Lionel Messi

Finally, Deco touched on the topic of comparing Yamal to Messi and whether it did more harm than good to the player to place him under such pressure.

“I don’t think comparing him with Leo is a problem for him but a pride for him. I don’t know if it’s good or bad, it depends on him. It’s growing and I don’t see it as a problem,” he said

“In the end, everyone has their own story, it doesn’t compare. But I understand that in Barça comparisons of players are made, soccer is always like that,” he added.

At the same time, however, he admitted that the youngster was unique in his own way and that he would thus carve out a place of his own in history.

“But Lamine is unique, it is his life, he has his life story and the only thing he has is the coincidence of being in the same club as Leo and being precocious in his appearance although in different situations.”

Speaking on the differences between Messi and Yamal’s roles at Barcelona, he stated how there was a big difference in the club’s situations between when the two players rose to prominence.

“Leo arrived at a club and entered a dynamic of a more made team and Lamine is being part of a revolution, of a reconstruction of the club. They are different moments.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo