The Board of Directors at Barca is working quickly to resolve economic issues so that the company may become more competitive. They do not lack the financial resources to do so, but La Liga limits both their pay budget and their ability to lavishly spend.
Thankfully, the oven at La Masia is still in good working order. They have been supplying young, talented players to the Barca first squad for the previous five years. Given the chance, players like Ansu Fati, Gavi, Pedri, and Alejandro Balde have been the club’s backbone.
The Catalans’ pride in La Masia has not diminished. Even as 2022’s “Golden Boy” Gavi rises to prominence, Xavi keeps introducing other rising stars. Experts asked, “Is Lamine Yamal the new ‘Golden Boy’ of world football?” after yesterday night’s game against Villarreal.
In the Copa del Rey match against CF Intercity at the end of December, Yamal was promoted to Barca’s first squad. He had signed his first professional deal before he was 16 years old. However, Yamal was able to gain Xavi’s confidence in a short amount of time.
Yamal took advantage of Raphinha’s ban a week ago to show his worth. At the age of 16 years and 38 days, he made history by being the youngest player to ever start a La Liga match in the 21st century. Even though Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres were on the Barça bench last night, Yamal returned to action.
According to Sofascore, the 2007-born player was the match’s third top scorer. He recorded three consecutive successful dribbles and one assist. Yamal’s left foot has drawn comparisons to that of then-up-and-coming great Lionel Messi.
Xavi said that his pupil was like an electric charge that rendered Villarreal’s defense useless. “He is a very good player; someone who makes opponents lose balance, an electric current, an opponent who is quite difficult to tackle,” the 43-year-old tactician said, as published in Goal newspaper. The future is bright for him.
It seems that La Masia’s older players excel in dribbling. Fati has the trait. This’skill’ also allowed Gavi to repeatedly break through the Italian defense.
Yamal has a’milky’ face, but people see more than that in him. I want to make the most of any and all chances the coach provides me. No, I’m not scared. “I try to play, that’s what I do best,” he stated after 76 minutes of stultifying action against Villarreal.
As the sport of football becomes more commercialized, it is a privilege to see players like Yamal compete. He dribbles the ball with confidence and flair. About twenty years ago, a specialist made the observation that “Brazilians see the ball as a friend, and the Germans see the ball as a tool for practice.”
Thankfully, Yamal hasn’t lost the wildness and instinct of a youngster his age. Yamal’s technique of holding the ball into the face of the opposing defender has been crucial to Barca’s early season success. When Barca is back to being themselves, their bank account and their reputation are replenished.
