I have never - Toni Kroos warns Lamine Yamal longevity is a marathon

Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has offered a word of caution to Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, emphasising the demanding nature of maintaining a top-level career over many years.

Kroos, who retired after Germany's Euro 2024 quarter-final exit at the hands of Spain, has firsthand experience of Yamal's exceptional talent, having briefly played against him in club football and on the international stage.

While showering praise on the teenage winger for his "spectacular" performances for both Barcelona and Spain, Kroos also highlighted the critical importance of consistency and managing external pressures for a long-lasting legacy in football.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the German icon expressed his astonishment at Yamal's prodigious ability.

He said, "I also made the Bayern first team at 17, but I wasn’t at his level, which is spectacular. I’ve never seen anything like it at that age.

He added, "I’m talking about the consistency of his performances, because the natural talent is obvious. What makes me think that this boy is special is his constant search for prominence on the pitch: in difficult moments, he always steps up, and at 17 years of age, that is not normal. He was the protagonist of two excellent seasons, the last one even spectacular; I have never seen a kid like him."

Kroos, renowned for his own remarkable longevity and consistent elite performance, then delivered his central message to the young Spaniard.

"I always say that a career is not a sprint, but a marathon. So we will see what happens in the next 5-10 seasons, if he continues to grow and how he reacts to everything that comes into football from outside.

“Success doesn’t only depend on the pitch; it depends on what happens outside. It has a big impact, and you have to know how to handle different aspects of life," he advised.

Yamal will once again lead Barcelona's attack next season alongside Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, as they aim to defend their domestic titles and pursue sixth Champions League.