Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen says he hopes Lamine Yamal “keeps his feet on the ground” so he can fulfil his potential.
Yamal has earned recognition in recent months after becoming the youngest goalscorer at the European Championship and helping Spain beat England to win the tournament at the age of 17.
The winger featured on 50 occasions for Barca last season, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists. With his impressive trajectory, Ter Stegen said he hopes the youngster will continue to perform at a high level for club and country.
“Lamine Yamal is a player who has just started and has already won a very important title in his life that he will never forget,” Ter Stegen said. “I wish him many more titles, that he will always be hungry throughout his career and that he will take his game to another level.
“He is already at a very high level. But I hope he improves and that he keeps his feet on the ground because he has just started and he has many years ahead of him”.
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Ter Stegen was also questioned about Barca’s new head coach Hansi Flick, who is preparing his side ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
The 59-year-old German succeeded Xavi in the role and drew 2-2 against Manchester City in his opening pre-season match.
According to Ter Stegen, Flick, who previously coached him with the German national team, has been focusing on improving the physical aspects of Barca’s play.
“With Flick we have talked about the physical issue which is one of the changes that will be seen the most,” he added. “We are training very hard to be better against any opponent and to be able to compete. I’m looking forward to seeing how everything evolves and I hope it goes as planned.
“He has a way of working on the physical stuff and taking it into the game. He wants to keep the race going and push. He wants everyone to be at a physical level during the season that allows us to play not only one or two games in a row without rest but also three or four because it will be key. We all have to be on our toes because we have to improve in that aspect. It’s very important.”
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