‘He can evolve like Messi’…Says former La Masia coach about 16-year-old Barcelona gem | OneFootball

Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images

It is not uncommon for former coaches of FC Barcelona to be asked to voice their opinions on modern matters. Some coaches continue to do it in a negative light at times, but there are all kinds of opinions flying around. However, coaches who have formerly coached Barcelona at the youth level often have very valuable insights to provide.

Moreover, considering the recent success that Barcelona has had with their graduating youngsters, it is hardly surprising to see more and more coaches voice out their unique opinions. With rival players being willing to praise the new generation of Barcelona, it is hardly a surprise that Barça’s own people also believe it to be a positive development.

Such were the words attributed by former La Masia coach Franc Artiga, who is currently following his passion for coaching in Russia. In a recent interview with SPORT, the man who spent nine years coaching the Barcelona youth categories was asked about many topics related to him and Barça.

One question that stood out, however, was one that was focused on Lamine Yamal, the 16-year-old prodigy from Barcelona who has taken the world by storm right now. Asked if his emergence and prominence at such a young age is dangerous for him, Artiga had a straightforward reply for Yamal’s case:

“No, I don’t worry about Lamine. It’s true that anything can happen, and there are players who emerge but then don’t establish themselves, but I don’t see that happening in this case. What I do see is that Lamine’s evolution is yet to be seen, and I mean that positively.”

However, that was not the only thing Artiga mentioned about the Barcelona wonderkid. Convinced that he will make a shift from the wings to a more central attacking position later in his career, almost as a ‘false 9’, Artiga believes that Yamal will follow in the footsteps of Barcelona and Argentina icon Lionel Messi:

The former Barcelona coach also believes that the experience he is currently gaining both with Spain and also at the club level, will be very valuable to his development and growth as a player:

“The growth he can achieve, given his age, is unpredictable. The experience he’s gaining by playing in the Euros at just 16 years old will be very valuable. I believe the coaches will bring him closer to the play, and I see him playing as a false nine or a second forward.”