Mbappé Supports Yamal Amid Criticism
In recent comments, Kylian Mbappé has come to the defense of Lamine Yamal, urging critics to allow the young player to live his life without unnecessary scrutiny. The Barcelona and Spain star, aged 18, was praised by Mbappé as a “great talent.”
Yamal recently received the Kopa Trophy for the second year in a row, acknowledging him as the world’s top under-21 player. However, he has encountered criticism concerning his personal life.
Complications have also arisen between Barcelona and the national team regarding Yamal’s fitness. He was initially part of the Spain squad for the ongoing international break, but he was later withdrawn by his club after coach Hansi Flick expressed concerns over Spain’s management of his health.
Mbappé emphasized the importance of Yamal’s passion for football, stating in an interview with Jorge Valdano, which will air on Movistar, “People should leave him alone.” He added, “The rest is just his life.”
This season, Yamal has made a notable impact in La Liga, scoring two goals and providing three assists for Barcelona in what marks his third year as a first-team regular, having made his debut at just 15 years old.
Reflecting on his own early career, Mbappé noted that he also began playing in Ligue 1 for Monaco at 16.
“Lamine is an exceptional football player, but ultimately, he’s still an 18-year-old,” Mbappé remarked. “Everyone makes mistakes at that age. We should focus on his performance on the pitch; everything else is secondary unless it’s something significant. He’s a player with immense talent.”
Currently, Mbappé is with the France national team, preparing for an upcoming match against Azerbaijan. He did, however, sustain a minor ankle sprain during Real Madrid‘s La Liga victory over Villarreal last Saturday.
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