Chris Byfield
Lamine Yamal named his dream seven-a-side team of the players he’s played alongside.
In just two seasons 17-year-old Yamal has played with some of the world’s most talented players for both Barcelona and Spain.
And when the Kings League asked Yamal to pick his dream 7-a-side outfit of the players he’d played with, the Spaniard opted for himself, five Barcelona youngsters and international team-mate Nico Williams, who has been linked with a transfer to the Catalan giants.
Advert
Yamal selected a 7-a-side outfit that consisted of Iñaki Peña, Ronald Araújo, Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, Gavi, Nico Williams, and himself. The Spain youngster also chose Barcelona boss Hansi Flick as his manager.
Elsewhere, while on international break with Spain, Yamal hobbled off during a 1-0 win over Denmark on Saturday.
The youngster had an MRI scan on Sunday before returning to Barcelona to recover from a strained hamstring.
Barcelona said in a statement: “Tests conducted this morning, Monday 14 October, have confirmed that Lamine Yamal has strained his left hamstring and will be out of action until he has fully recovered.
Advert
"The teenager picked up the problem while playing for Spain in the UEFA Nations League. He was able to play all 91 minutes of the game with Denmark at the Estadio Nueva Condomina in Murcia, but felt something was wrong as he left the pitch.”
Yamal had scored five goals in his 11 games for Barcelona under Flick so far this term.
He had been on the receiving end of several tough tackles in Spain’s Denmark win, and following the game Luis de la Fuente said the teenager cannot expect a "bed of roses" playing at the highest level.
Advert
"The referee has to protect these talented players, but Lamine has to get used to it," said De la Fuente.
"Lamine displayed an exceptional attitude and generated a lot for us from the right flank. He has a special talent. I had a teammate who used to say: 'What do you want, kisses [from the opponents]?'
"Teams will use the weapons they can within the rules."