The current physical and footballing state of Lamine Yamal continues to generate concern within FC Barcelona. In a conversation with 'SPORT', the former Barça president Joan Gaspart assured that the '10' must improve several key aspects to become the best in the world, something that is within his reach but, in his opinion, the player from Mataró has not yet achieved.
"He's not the best in the world. Nor was he last year, he could become it, but he isn't yet," Gaspart began, also assuring that the club must monitor his "outbursts" with support from the locker room and the coaching staff.
Joan Gaspart's advice to Lamine Yamal and Barça
Furthermore, regarding the pubalgia that has been affecting Lamine's performance in recent weeks, the former Barça president was blunt. "If Lamine is not in top condition, it is better for him to stop and not play... He must play in top condition and not have a possible excuse. Let him stop and recover."
In that sense, Gaspart made it clear that, while it is the club's duty to take care of him, it is also important to make it clear that "no one is above Barça." "There are fans who love him very much and he cannot let them down. People take into account that, even though he is 18 years old, he earns as much as a 30-year-old," he pointed out.
This season, Lamine Yamal, in addition to inheriting the number '10', also became the team's main star. His new contract establishes an ascending salary, befitting someone who will be the club's 'franchise player' in the medium and long term. In 25/26, his net salary is around 8 million euros, with bonuses that could raise the figure to a maximum of 20 'kilos'.
Gaspart's 'dig' at Carvajal and confidence in the comeback in the League
Regarding the controversial scuffle at the end of the Clásico, which had the man from Rocafonda as a protagonist, Joan Gaspart also held nothing back when referring to the reaction of Dani Carvajal. Although he understands that what happened on Sunday will not be important for Lamine's future with the National Team, he took a dig at the Real Madrid captain.
"Who the fuck is Carvajal? He was a great player, but he's finished. Why should Lamine call him when his statements weren't even directed at him?" said the former Barça president, who is also confident that the Azulgrana team will be able to come back again to retain the league title.
Understanding that the second round Clásico is still to be played (matchday 35 at Camp Nou), the difference between both teams could be just 2 points, with 27 more matchdays to be played. The season is just beginning, and Barça, in the second round of 24/25, already overcame a 7-point deficit to lift the trophy in J36.
- Discover more records, statistics, and curiosities in our Lamine Yamal Data Center, a unique space to follow the evolution of the Barcelona star