Barcelona wonderkid’s explosion not a surprise for former striker: “It’s no coincidence”

Speaking an interview with SPORT, former Barcelona striker and Juvenil A assistant coach Javier Saviola has claimed that he has not been surprised by Lamine Yamal’s explosion at the first-team level.

The 16-year-old has been the breakout star of the season so far for Barça, making a big impression in his three La Liga appearances with his scintillating displays on the right flank.

The fact that manager Xavi Hernandez has preferred the La Masia wonderkid over more established options such as Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati indicates the kind of faith that Barça are putting in him.

Yamal’s breakthrough not a surprise for Saviola

And Saviola, who spent six years on the books of Barcelona as a player, was also the assistant manager of the Barcelona Juvenil A (Under-19) team last season, when Yamal, just 15 years old at the time, made a big splash.

Speaking of the initial impressions…