Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has offered a rare glimpse into the whirlwind world surrounding one of football’s most electrifying young talents: Lamine Yamal.
With his recent contract extension tying him to the club until 2031, Deco couldn’t hide his admiration—or concern—over the incredible attention the 17-year-old winger now commands.
“People are crazy when they see Lamine play,” Deco told BBC Sport. “You would pay to go watch him in the stadium. He’s special.”
For the Blaugrana hierarchy, securing Yamal’s future is not just a victory—it is a necessity.
Lamine Yamal, who boasts Equatoguinean and Moroccan heritage, has emerged as the latest prodigy from La Masia to capture global attention.
But for Deco, comparisons to past legends—especially Lionel Messi—are premature. “Lamine is Lamine. Leo is Leo,” he stated, careful not to burden the teenager with an impossible legacy. Still, he acknowledged that Yamal’s natural gifts position him to potentially shape an era.
“In terms of quality, he can make history like Leo. But to do that, he needs a strong team behind him.”
Managing Yamal’s rapid rise, however, has become a delicate task. Deco admitted the club is navigating an increasingly hectic commercial environment around their teenage star.
“We try to shield him from doing everything—sponsors, fans, media. Everyone wants a piece of him,” Deco said. “We can’t always control it, but we try. He’s just 17, and while he deserves the improved salary, he also needs space to grow.”
Barcelona know they have something extraordinary in Yamal—not just a prospect, but a generational talent.
