Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has expressed his admiration for Lamine Yamal, saying the 19-year-old forward's achievements are extraordinary for a player of his age.
İdman.Biz reports that Yamal is among the contenders for the Ballon d'Or. The winner of the prestigious individual award will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26.
Asked whether what Yamal is doing at the age of 19 could be considered normal, Iniesta gave a clear answer.
"No, it is not normal, because otherwise there would be more players capable of doing it. It is not normal. What is really beautiful and important is his ambition, how natural he is and the fact that, considering his age, he has a wonderful future ahead of him," Iniesta told Mundo Deportivo.
The former Spain international also highlighted the challenge Yamal faces after already winning major trophies so early in his career.
"The challenge for a footballer and for clubs like Barca comes back every year. It is not about what you have already won, but about having to keep winning every year.
"That is what it is all about, and that is now the challenge for players like him, who at such a young age have already won very important trophies, perhaps even the most important ones, but every year they have to keep doing it again and again," Iniesta added.
Yamal has established himself as one of Barcelona's key players despite his young age and is regarded as one of the leading talents of his generation.
