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Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has heaped praise on former boss Xavier Hernandez for midfield sensation Lamine Yamal's meteoric rise to prominence.
The club legend gave Yamal his first-team debut in the 2022-23 season. The teenager would make a whopping 50 appearances across competitions the next season, becoming a first-team regular, contributing seven goals and nine assists.
Yamal also continued his sterling exploits with Spain, playing a key role in their Euro 2024 triumph in Germany last month, setting numerous records along the way.
Nevertheless, Ter Stegen believes Xavi deserves credit for recognising something 'special' in Yamal (as per Barca Universal):
"Lamine Yamal? We must give credit to Xavi, as he is the one who gave him the opportunity. Lamine has something special. I hope he maintains his consistency. He still has room for improvement, as he is very young and has just started and has grown physically as well."
At Euro 2024, Spain's youngest-ever scorer became the youngest to win the competition - a day after turning 17.
He also became the youngest player to appear in a major-tournament final or semi-final and the first to register goal contributions in the quarter-final, semi-final and final of the same Euros.
What's next for Lamine Yamal's Barcelona?
Barcelona have moved on from their former boss Xavi, with former Bayern Munich and Germany tactician Hansi Flick succeeding the legendary Spaniard, who left at the end of the last season.
Flick's side kicked off their pre-season with a shootout win over Manchester City (after a 2-2 draw) at the Camping World Stadium in Ohio. They next lock horns with arch-rivals Real Madrid on Saturday (August 3) at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Following a clash with AC Milan on August 6 at the MT&T Stadium in Baltimore - which would end their US tour - Barca close their pre-season with a home clash with AS Monaco on August 11.
It's pertinent to note that Lamine Yamal is not part of the pre-season squad due to his deep run with Spain at Euro 2024. However, the teenager is expected to be available for their La Liga opener at Valencia on August 17.
