Ivan Rakitic has urged Barcelona to help Lamine Yamal learn to handle the pressure of being one of the game’s biggest superstars.
Yamal has come under plenty of scrutiny in recent months, with his private life and injury issues a near-constant source of headlines.
Rakitic says Barcelona need to look after their teenage talent and help him cope with the difficult times.
“I would say that Lamine is an incredible player, which is why I’m proud of him as he progresses and develops,” he told Flashscore.
“It’s all going in the right direction, and he has become aware that football has its downsides, such as injuries and the pressure he faces. I think he has to follow his own path; I wouldn’t compare him to the three I mentioned [Messi, Suarez and Neymar].
“Barcelona and Spain have something special in him, and we all need to help him learn to handle the pressure. He is a truly special player.”
A new report from Mundo Deportivo has claimed Yamal has toned down his social media presence in light of recent events and is purely focused on his recovery from injury right now after missing Spain’s World Cup qualifiers.
