Barcelona prodigy names Real Madrid defender as ‘toughest player’ he has faced

While Barcelona may have lacked silverware, one of the biggest success stories this season has been La Masia’s continuous roll-out of world-class talent, especially at a time when the club have been hit by a financial roller.

And while Pau Cubarsi, Fermin Lopez, and Hector Fort, among others have made their names as future superstars, all eyes have been set on 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who has taken world football by storm.

Originally only meant to play a few games this season, and that too to cover for the departed Ousmane Dembele, Yamal has quickly become Xavi’s starting right-winger.

He has already racked up 28 games in the league, scoring four goals and giving three assists. This includes a winner against Mallorca, and a brace against Granada and Athletic Club.

He did, however, have a particularly tough time against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, coming on in the 60th minute.

Yamal recalls the game

Speaking in a recent interview recently, Yamal was asked about the toughest opponent he has faced in his, admittedly short, senior Barcelona tenure so far. The teenager singled out a Real Madrid defender for this.

“In the Spanish Super Cup final, Ferland Mendy was a big challenge for me,” Yamal said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Mendy is still perhaps on the younger end of the defenders Yamal has already faced this season while playing for Barcelona, some of whom are double or more his age.

He was, therefore, asked about he keeps his nerve coming up against players so much older and more experienced than him.

He replied, “When I’m on the field, I don’t focus on who’s in front of me. I play like I did in my youth, not worrying about my opponent, which gives me a better chance of beating my defender.”