‘Age is no merit’ – Former Spain manager backs Barcelona young duo’s national team call-up

Barcelona’s youngsters have been basking in the limelight this season, with their exceptional talents helping the team overcome a tricky period both on the financial and sporting front.

Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi have lately earned the most plaudits. The pair have breathed new life into Barcelona since marching their way into the starting XI and recently earned a call-up to the Spanish national team.

One man well acquainted with Barcelona players in the Spain national team is Vicente Del Bosque, who guided Spain to a World Cup with a plethora of Blaugrana players residing on his roster.

Talent knows no age

Discussing the emergence of exceptionally young talents like Cubarsi and Yamal from Barcelona, Del Bosque noted that their tender ages must not deny them the opportunity to play for the senior team as long as their talent speaks for itself.

“Maybe they are more precocious now than before, but in the national team, Casillas or Raul also reached the top at 17 or 18 years of age,” he said on the program ‘El Larguero’ (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

“Age is no merit. If you have to take them because they are good, you take them, even if they are young. And if they are older but they perform, they do too. Age is a state.”

Sympathizing with Xavi

Commenting on Xavi Hernandez’s impending departure from Barcelona, whom he once coached, Del Bosque suggested patience is necessary.

Del Bosque sympathises with Xavi’s situation (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

“If you ask him, he will be disappointed with some, but each one has a start full of difficulties.

“You have to be patient. Xavi has many positive things and already on the field he thought like a coach,” the 73-year-old remarked.

Barcelona have been surveying Xavi’s successor for a while now but reportedly do not rule out his continuity beyond the season just yet.