Robert Lewandowski explains 'biggest challenge' for Lamine Yamal and key difference with today's young players
Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski has admitted that watching Lamine Yamal play for the first time was an experience unlike any other he has had in the game. The 17-year-old European champions has already achieved more than most dreams in the game, and continues to amaze every week.
Lewandowski, who at the age of 36 is the runaway leader in the Pichichi race in Spain, noted that longevity will be the toughest challenge for the Spanish star.
“Lamine Yamal, it was the first time in my career that I looked at someone and went wow, he has something special,” he told Rio Ferdinand Presents.
Tests will be carried out today on Lamine Yamal to decide whether or not he can be available for the Celta Vigo game. @JoanPoquiEraso
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) November 21, 2024
“With Musiala, it was different, you could see that he had something. I think that for young players now, it is also different, the hardest thing for Lamine Yamal will be to maintain his level at the top for 10-15 years, for to be at the same level until 28-29. I think these days, with the demands of the game, it is very difficult for a player to play at the top for more than 10 years.”
The teenage superstar has come into the game perhaps at a time where the physical demands of the game are higher than ever. Mentally, the demands have also increased in the modern game, but in the dressing room, Lewandowski explained that things have changed a lot in recent years.
“I try to give some advice, but it's also different now. When I was young, it was about getting stronger, and the older players were shouting at you and challenging you 15 years ago. And you go out on the pitch, you go out so motivated, and I couldn't control anything because I was too motivated.”
“Now I think young players don't like it so much if someone shouts at them. It's changed. But not only in football, in life, in work, young people don't like it so much. I don't want to say that you can't don't talk to them out loud, but you can't shout at them all the time. So you have to change, you have to find the balance now.”
One of the hardest qualities to quantify and appreciate from outside the locker room is leadership and personality, something you see time and time again makes the difference during adversity. Lewandowski himself mentions earlier in the interview that the human side of the game is one of the the biggest changes in Pep Guardiola as well.
