Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta spoke highly of Lamine Yamal in a recent interview, stating that the teenager played with a level of naturalness which destined him for greatness.
Iniesta, 41, had front-row seats to Lionel Messi’s rise and dominance at Barcelona. He is also a football great in his own right, 1/3rd of a midfield trio which marked the Blaugrana's most successful era.
Hence, he has the credibility to speculate on the projection of a young footballing talent, and he has expressed confidence in Yamal's ability to reach the summit of the sport.
What Iniesta start
The former Vissel Kobe star is currently working on his coaching badges in Asia when he was asked about that Barcelona number 10.
"Lamine Yamal's challenge is to keep growing every year. He plays with incredible naturalness, and it is in his hands to become one of the greatest if he keeps pushing himself,” Iniesta said, per Goal.
He also provided insight into his ambition to become a coach, explaining that he had started working on his Pro licence and what his coaching philosophy will be.
“My idea is to start coaching soon. I am missing the Pro licence, which I am completing here in Asia," Iniesta added.
"As a coach, you start watching football differently, with a different perspective. The ball still attracts you, but today, there are very few secrets. What matters now is preparing myself in the best possible way.
"When you start coaching, you first need to know the players you have and what they can give you. You must have a clear idea of how you want to play, but also the mentality to adapt to the situation."