Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández said on Friday that teenage stars Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí could define a new era of world football. Yamal impressed in Tuesday’s friendly against Brazil, while Cubarsí made his debut for La Roja last week against Colombia and then also featured against the five-time World Cup winners.
Both youngsters have become key pillars of a resurgent Barcelona, who have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in four years and still have hopes of defending their LaLiga title. Sixteen-year-old Yamal is the youngest Spanish player and scorer in history, while seventeen-year-old Cubarsi is the youngest defender to ever play for his country.
“They have to maintain their level. Barcelona is at the top of world football,” Xavi told a press conference ahead of Saturday’s LaLiga clash with Las Palmas.
“Many have reached the elite level but it is very difficult to stay there. But they can do it, they have everything – the right mentality and ability and I think we are looking at two players who can define an era not only within the club but even in world football,” he added.
Xavi: have the chance to mark an era. pic.twitter.com/XbBQtOcdgR
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 29, 2024
In the case of Yamal, Xavi highlighted that the youngster is very calm and mature for his age, despite being in the limelight. “I see him as a cheerful boy, a joker, he enjoys it more and more and I dare say he is happy,” described the coach of the Catalan team.
Barcelona are eight points behind leaders Real Madrid but can cut the gap to just five ahead of their clash with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. After that, Barcelona have another match in the Champions League, on April 10 in the French capital against Paris Saint-Germain.
“I’m more worried about Las Palmas than the match with PSG, which is in a few days,” admitted Xavi. “We are focused on tomorrow, it is important to get three points to increase the pressure on Real Madrid,” he concluded purposefully.
2024-03-29 20:58:59
#Yamal #Cubarsí #define #entire #era #world #football #Xavi
