How Barcelona star has mastered the art of resting while playing – report | OneFootball

Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, has been gaining attention not only for his extraordinary talent but also for his remarkable ability to manage his energy during matches.

In fact, according to journalist Sergi de Juan in AS, Yamal has become a master at pacing himself on the field, an ability that has allowed him to avoid unnecessary exhaustion and maintain peak performance throughout the season.

Learning from Messi

Yamal’s approach to rest during games mirrors that of one of Barcelona’s greatest players, Lionel Messi.

The journalist writes that while Messi took time to fully understand his body, Yamal has displayed an impressive ability to manage his physical limits at a young age.

Instead of charging into every play, Yamal knows when to conserve his energy, choosing moments when he can play simple passes or make one-touch decisions.

He saves his sprinting for when it is necessary, ensuring that his movements are purposeful and efficient.

Lamine Yamal manages his workload very effectively. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

This tactical resting strategy allows him to maintain his stamina throughout the match, and it has proven to be a key factor in his ability to play consistently without burning out.

Rising prominence

Despite his youth, Yamal has been a fixture in Barcelona’s lineup this season, with an impressive total of 3,271 minutes played across 40 official matches.

He ranks as the fourth-highest playing time earner in the squad, trailing only Raphinha, Pedri, and the ever-reliable Jules Kounde.

Notably, even players like Robert Lewandowski and Pau Cubarsi have spent fewer minutes on the field than the young prodigy.

Yamal’s ability to stay healthy and avoid injury has been crucial to his playing time.

After an ankle injury sidelined him for three La Liga matches, he returned to action without missing a beat.

His preventive training routine, which includes two sessions a week, is also vital to ensuring that his body remains in top condition for the demands of the season.

With Hansi Flick closely monitoring his development, Yamal’s impressive fitness levels and intelligent gameplay have allowed him to become a cornerstone of Barcelona’s attacking options.

Flick has made it clear that he would never risk Yamal’s health by pushing him too hard, which shows the trust the manager has in the youngster’s ability to manage his own body.