WHAT HAPPENED?
Former Liverpool midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Souness has heaped glowing praise on Barcelona’s teenage sensation following his standout performance against Inter in the Champions League semi-final first leg. Yamal scored Barcelona’s opening goal and gave the Nerazzurri’s experienced defenders a torrid time throughout the evening as the Catalans overturned a two-goal deficit to finish level 3-3.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
In his column for the Daily Mail, Souness lauded Yamal for his maturity, especially his composed decision-making in high-pressure moments, something he believes sets the young forward apart from others his age.
“Watching Lamine Yamal against Inter Milan this week, no one at 17 should be that good. It’s just wrong!” he wrote. “My tongue is placed firmly in cheek by the way but there’s no denying we are watching the emergence of a very special talent. He’s already played 100 first-team games and he’s not 18 until July. What’s difficult to comprehend for someone his age is not just his talent or athleticism, it’s his decision-making on the football pitch.
“He makes decisions you’d expect from a player much beyond his years. He is already outstripping Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the same age. Add the fact that he enjoys the discipline of doing the hard yards too and he looks, from afar, to be a thoroughly good sort.”
WHAT SOUNESS SAID ABOUT BELLINGHAM
The praise for Yamal came with a pointed contrast drawn toward Bellingham, Real Madrid’s 20-year-old English midfielder. Souness, while acknowledging Bellingham’s breakout debut season in Spain, has expressed concern over the direction of his development this year.
“Watching Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid of late has been concerning. He had an incredible first season in Spain, looked a world-beater but now I’m afraid it looks like he’s not listening anymore,” he wrote.
For Souness, it’s not a question of talent but temperament, and he urged the midfielder to emulate the level-headedness displayed by the much younger Yamal.
“I hope I’m wrong. But this year has been a disappointment, and you have to question some of Bellingham’s behaviour, showing dissent, needlessly getting into trouble with referees,” he added. “If he is listening to anyone, then their advice looks misguided. And, if he is putting this attitude down to what he thinks is overexuberant shows of passion, then he is also mistaken. It’s a perfect example of what Yamal needs to avoid.
“It’s not just Bellingham, of course, but I’d hate to see him continue going that way. He needs to look at videos of what he hasn’t been doing right. I hate to harp on about it, but that’s the value of having good senior professionals around. Those who have seen the signs before and who will put you straight. I’m sure at clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, there are many of those worth listening to. The message will always be never believe you are too wise to stop learning and listening.”
WHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM & YAMAL?
As Madrid and Barcelona continue their fierce battle for the Spanish league title, the scrutiny on Bellingham’s form is only likely to intensify. Madrid currently trail their Catalan rivals by four points with just a handful of matches remaining. The stakes will rise significantly when the two clubs meet again in a potentially season-defining Clasico on May 11 at Barcelona’s temporary Montjuic home. The last time the two giants met, Barcelona edged Madrid to win the Copa del Rey final, a result that stung Los Blancos and may still be lingering in their minds
