Moroccan-Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal should be left alone, says Barcelona chief Deco

Barcelona sporting director Deco has urged the media and fans to ease the pressure on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, insisting the young forward needs space to develop amid growing scrutiny surrounding his rapid rise and off-field controversies.

Yamal, who is of Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean heritage, has faced intense attention since breaking into Barcelona’s first team as one of Europe’s most talented young footballers.

While his brilliance has earned comparisons with Lionel Messi, his personal life and perceived attitude have drawn criticism from pundits and sections of the Spanish media.

Speaking to AS, Deco appealed for calm around the 18-year-old, stressing that Yamal’s development must be handled with patience.

“We often tend to focus on individualism, but it’s the team that wins,” he said. “We’re talking about a very mature player, a different kind of player who can define an era. We need to leave him alone.”

Deco also cautioned against comparisons with Messi, arguing that the two players emerged under very different circumstances.

“His context was different; he joined an already winning team, with players aged 25 and 26, and his growth has been more normal and progressive,” the former Portuguese international explained.

Yamal’s dazzling performances for both club and country have been overshadowed in recent months by off-field incidents, including criticism of his lavish birthday celebration and reports of disciplinary lapses within the Barcelona camp.

Despite this, club insiders maintain that Yamal remains focused on his football and continues to receive strong guidance from senior figures within the team.

Deco’s remarks reflect Barcelona’s desire to shield their prized asset from excessive public scrutiny, as the Catalan giants balance nurturing his talent with managing the challenges of early fame.