‘Everyone is afraid’ – Barcelona star Lamine Yamal hailed by Spain team-mate

Spain defender Aymeric Laporte has lavished praise on teenage Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, claiming the 17-year-old has instilled fear in full-backs across the globe with his unpredictable dribbling and explosive decision-making.

Speaking to RMC Sport, Laporte said opponents are already treating Yamal with the same trepidation once reserved for Lionel Messi when isolated in one-on-one situations. “With the ball at his feet it’s something extraordinary,” the centre-back explained. “There is no left-back in the world who can say ‘come on, dribble me, let’s see if you can’. Everyone is afraid, everyone defends by backing down, and that is what it produces.”

Laporte highlighted Yamal’s vast array of options when in possession, noting that defenders are left guessing whether he will accelerate, cut inside, stop suddenly, drop the shoulder, shoot from range or slip a perfectly weighted pass to a team-mate. “It’s a bit like what they thought of Messi when he did 1 on 1: let’s see where he is going to come out, what he is going to do,” he added.

Despite a bout of pubalgia earlier in the campaign, Yamal has still managed 15 goals and 12 assists in 31 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions, underlining his rapid emergence as one of European football’s most exciting talents.