Lewandowski says Lamine Yamal will become one of the best players in the world

At only 17 years old, Lamine Yamal has become a core player for Barcelona. The young striker has scored 7 goals and provided 11 assists in 22 games this season, which is amazing. Not only did he shine at the club level, he also helped Spain win the 2024 European Cup, contributing 1 goal and 4 assists. These achievements have made Yamal the focus of attention and he has been hailed as a "genius new star" by the outside world. In the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup, he scored again and imitated Neymar's classic celebration in 2013, which sparked heated discussions among fans.

In an interview with ESPN, Barcelona striker Lewandowski praised Yamal's potential and was optimistic that he could win the Ballon d'Or in the future.

Lewandowski said: "He definitely has the potential (to win the Ballon d'Or). There is no doubt that I am not the kind of person who praises others easily, because sometimes, when I praise certain players, their performance will decline. But for Lamin, it is difficult for me to find fault with anything. He will definitely become one of the best players in the world. His future is limitless."

What impressed Lewandowski was not only Yamal's outstanding skills, but also his mature performance beyond his age.

"When I think about Lamin... he's 17 but plays like a 25 or 26-year-old. The way he plays on the pitch makes you feel like he's not a young player," Lewandowski said.

"I'm not going to talk about his talent anymore because everyone knows how talented he is. But I'm more concerned about how he grows. I told him to focus on the future, not just the next two or three years, but the next 10 to 15 years. I think the team around him is very important, they need to make sure he doesn't grow too fast - not in terms of growth on the court, but everything off the court."

Despite his high praise for Yamal, Lewandowski also issued a warning, reminding him to be careful about the challenges and pressures of the football world.

"I hope the people around him can help him, even if he may not know what is going to happen now. Football can be very cruel sometimes, you have to be prepared, I believe his current path is the best for him, but in the next three or four years, they need to make sure everything is under control. Talent can help you start your career, but in the end, it is mentality that allows you not only to reach the top, but also to stay at the top for a long time."