Lewandowski 'gives in' to Lamine Yamal: "He plays as if he were seven years older than he is"

Talking about Robert Lewandowski is undoubtedly discussing one of the best scorers in the world today, and why not, in the history of football. A player who at 36 years old still has the physical ability to lead the FC Barcelona offense, contributing in this 2024-25 season no less than 31 goals. These impressive numbers have dispelled any doubts about his renewal with the Blaugrana club.

However, recently, the name of the veteran '9' has stood out for another reason. Lewandowski gave an interview to the Polish weekly 'Piłka Nożna', where he received the award for best footballer of the year 2024. During the conversation, he mainly discussed matters related to his adventure at FC Barcelona.

One of the topics that caught the most attention was his praise for Lamine Yamal. He began describing the right winger, who is 17 years old, as a "super player with great talent".

What needs to be prevented from happening in the career of the talented young player

Before continuing to exalt the high level of the '19' Blaugrana, 'Lewy' emphasized the importance of taking care of various aspects to reach the peak of football performance and maintain the highest level over a long period. "The important thing is his environment, which should not think about what he will be like in two or three years, but rather that he is at the highest level in ten years. It’s about what happens around young players. Because the money they earn is very good, but -let's not kid ourselves- money can also weaken a player. We are human beings," he emphasized.

The former Bayern Munich player also pointed out the challenges faced by players like Lamine Yamal, who achieve fame at a young age and are constantly under media scrutiny. "Now we live in a world where comments on social media can be very extreme. This can also ruin young players in the long run. That’s why, although Lamine's talent is unquestionable, a series of decisions on his part and those around him are important, so that in ten years he still wants more," he stated.

'Lewy' was amazed by Lamine Yamal from the first time he saw him

Lewandowski also took the opportunity to recall his first contact with the Spanish-Moroccan winger. "He came to train with us when he was 15 years old. That was when I saw him for the first time. Before that, I had seen many talented young players. It was always evident: oh, they have that something! But I never had the confidence that yes, this was the kid who would have a great career. Until I saw Lamine and I told myself: wow... I asked him how old he was. I found out he was fifteen. I replied: that’s impossible," he began to say.

This is where Lewandowski acknowledged his amazement at seeing Lamine Yamal for the first time participating in the dynamics of FC Barcelona. "It was the first time I saw a kid who impressed me like this, and I can’t hide that for someone to impress me, it’s difficult. I really haven’t seen anyone like this. It’s not even about the talent itself, but the fact that he plays as if he were five or seven years older than he is," he commented.

"It was the first time I saw a kid who impressed me like this"

The '19' is rapidly growing as a player

Likewise, 'Lewy' has noted the remarkable improvement of Lamine Yamal as a player, the leap in quality he has experienced in various aspects of his game. "I sincerely acknowledge that Lamine Yamal, despite his young age, is starting to learn quickly. Compared to the first year when he started playing at Barcelona, it’s much easier for me to play with him, I understand him much better. I see that he also understands the ball better and better. It’s much easier to explain a tactical issue to him," he revealed.

"I sincerely acknowledge that Lamine Yamal, despite his young age, is starting to learn quickly"

Additionally, Robert has praised the intelligence of the young player in contrast to other young players, recognizing his ability to identify his weaknesses, improve, and be receptive to advice. "It happens that many young players at Barcelona think that it was someone on the field who didn’t do something as they should in a certain situation, when in reality it was them who misbehaved at that moment. Hot-headedness prevails over tactical knowledge. They see things wrong, they see things wrong. Hence the conversations with them, because sometimes they still need to be corrected. Lamine, on the other hand, realizes things quickly," he recounted.

The connection with Pedri and Raphinha

Additionally, Lewandowski expressed feeling a greater connection with Lamine, as well as with Pedri González and Raphinha. "It’s hard to explain, but there’s an inner connection between players that isn’t visible, but exists. And I’m starting to feel something similar with Yamal. Not just with him, but also with Pedri. Every game makes me understand Raphinha better," he concluded.