Lamine Yamal’s full potential is still untapped, says former Barcelona coach Ivan Carrasco

Former Barcelona youth coach Ivan Carrasco believes Lamine Yamal has yet to show the full extent of his ability, despite already becoming a leading figure for club and country.

Carrasco worked with Yamal during the 2021/22 season, when the winger was 14, and said his exceptional talent was evident from their first meeting.

The 19-year-old is now an important player for both Barcelona and Spain, while competing with Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe for football’s biggest individual awards.

Yamal has scored 11 goals and supplied seven assists in his past eight appearances for club and country. He also opened the scoring in Spain’s recent Nations League victories over England and Croatia.

“Everyone who worked closely with Lamine knew he had a lot of potential, a lot of natural talent,” Carrasco told SER Deportivos.

“I think we haven’t seen everything he’s capable of yet.

“He’s still very young, he has a lot to prove, even though he’s already leading a team as important as FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, at just 18 or 19 years old. We still have a lot to see.”

Carrasco expects Yamal to add major honours to his achievements, saying he believes the Champions League and Ballon d’Or will eventually join his collection.

The former youth coach also highlighted the improvement in Yamal’s statistics this season, following what he described as a less productive La Liga campaign last term.

“Maybe last season he didn’t have the best numbers in the regular league, but he’s still in his breakout phase,” he said.

“This season’s numbers are already better than last season’s.”

Yamal’s self-confidence has also drawn attention. He recently said he deserved to win the Ballon d’Or ahead of Kane and Mbappe, but Carrasco does not regard his outspoken nature as a concern.

“He’s sincere, honest. He’s a person with a very strong character,” Carrasco said.

“He knows the talent he has, that he’s in the top one or top two in the world, and he says so openly.

“He’s not the type of footballer that people generally accept most readily, a humble footballer like Iniesta or Messi, but this is his way of being.”

Yamal will next have the opportunity to impress for Spain against the Czech Republic in the Nations League on Saturday, October 3.

Barcelona’s next fixture is against Getafe on October 10.