Lamine Yamal ‘perhaps not appreciated enough’, says Spain team-mate Mikel Oyarzabal

Mikel Oyarzabal says Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal may not receive enough recognition for the influence he has on matches.

The Spain pair are together at the national team’s training camp as La Roja prepare for four upcoming Nations League fixtures against England, Croatia twice and the Czech Republic.

Oyarzabal said his relationship with the teenage winger worked well despite their very different personalities.

“It is clear that we are completely different, perhaps complete opposites, but we get on very well,” Oyarzabal told Radio Marca.

“I think opposites often attract.”

The Spain forward also said he would do what he could to support Yamal during their time together with the national side.

“I will try to help him in any way possible,” he said. “I will not be able to help him much in terms of the field, in terms of playing football, because I will not be able to tell him much about that.”

Oyarzabal believes Yamal’s impact extends beyond his own contribution with the ball, affecting both opponents and his team-mates.

“He is a player who changes the course of a match, not only because of what he does, but because of what he creates in the opposition and what he creates among his team-mates as well,” he said.

“Knowing that he is always there makes a big difference in football, and I think he is perhaps not appreciated enough.”