Barcelona midfielder Gavi says Lamine Yamal is the most effective participant on the earth after Lionel Messi following {the teenager}’s devastating displaying in Wednesday’s 5-1 Copa del Rey win over Real Betis.
Yamal scored one, created two and had one other aim dominated out for offside as Barça eased into Monday’s quarterfinal draw.
The 17-year-old has now scored 9 instances this season and laid on 13 assists for his teammates in 24 appearances.
“Yes, he’s,” Gavi advised reporters when requested if Yamal is already the most effective participant within the recreation. “Well, after Lionel Messi, he is the most effective.”
Yamal, who led Spain to European Championship success final summer season, completed eighth within the Ballon d’Or final yr and likewise claimed the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy award, prizes given to the most effective younger participant on the earth.
He has lengthy since established himself as a daily in Barça’s first staff, clocking up over 70 appearances already, and was a nuisance for Betis all evening on Wednesday.
After Gavi had opened the scoring, Yamal’s good lobbed move arrange Jules Koundé for Barça’s second. The winger then arrange Kounde once more, just for the aim to be dominated off for offside after a prolonged VAR examine.
Yamal thought he had added Barça’s third after the break, just for a VAR overview to as soon as once more cancel out the trouble for offside, earlier than a superb solo run from the sting of his personal field led to Raphinha scoring.
Substitute Ferran Torres scored Barça’s fourth earlier than Yamal lastly acquired his aim, ending effectively after being fed by Fermín López. Vitor Roque, on mortgage at Betis from Barça, scored a late comfort from the penalty spot.
“You know, Gavi’s very emotional, so I say sure as effectively,” Barça coach Hansi Flick stated in a information convention when requested if he agreed with Gavi’s tackle Yamal. “You can see it. I feel in nice matches you see huge expertise and he is confirmed it many instances. He’s on a extremely great way. But we have now to take care about him.”
After a disappointing finish to 2024, Barça have now began 2025 with 4 straight wins, together with Sunday’s 5-2 demolition of Real Madrid within the Spanish Supercopa last.
Flick needs his gamers to now take that kind into LaLiga, the place they’ve fallen six factors behind leaders Atlético Madrid and 5 behind Real.
“For us, right this moment was essential after the massive win towards Real Madrid,” the German stated. “It was superb to see how all of the staff come again as a result of we journey [back from Saudi Arabia] and we practice solely yesterday.
“So it is good to see this, how we play right this moment, the efficiency from the start. We managed the sport and that is actually nice to see how they do.
“The huge aim [is to play like this in LaLiga]. We are trying match to match, in fact Saturday is the subsequent one towards Getafe. We need to play and be prepared for that and win.”
