Dani Carvajal warns Spain and Barcelona must protect teenage sensation after Euro 2024 heroics
Dani Carvajal has told Spain and Barcelona that they must protect teenage star Lamine Yamal to ensure he does not burn out.
Yamal, who turns 17 on Saturday, has taken Euro 2024 by storm and played a key role in firing Spain to the final against England on Sunday.
The winger has provided three assists at the tournament so far, more than any other player, while he also scored a wonder goal in Spain’s 2-1 victory over France.
Carvajal, who says he is feeling like “an animal” ahead of the final after missing that semi-final win, has been amazed by Yamal’s rise and believes he will become a era-defining player if his workload is managed.
“When I was 16, I was winning the Copa del Rey with the [Real Madrid] youth team and he is making the difference in a European Championship. It’s impressive,” he said.
“I think he’s not aware of what it means right now. He’s focused on playing the games and he does it as if he were playing with his friends.
“And that’s the good thing about him, that in the end that self-confidence is contributing a lot.