Javier Clemente has seen enough young stars rise and fall to know that brilliance alone is rarely the full story. Speaking about Lamine Yamal’s rapid ascent, he praised the Barcelona winger’s quality while reminding everyone that the spotlight comes with obligations.
“As a player he is very good, but the problem is that if in his personal life he does not behave correctly as an athlete, he will not last long. That is clear. They will not allow it,” he said, noting that off field discipline shapes
careers as much as what happens on the pitch.
At the same time, Clemente pointed out that Yamal’s technical gifts now guarantee a different level of attention from opponents. “He does brilliant things, but the rivals already know how he plays, they know how to watch him. They know he is one of those players you cannot let play because he has so much quality that he can do a lot of things. He is going to face very special marking and surveillance.”
The former Spain boss was also asked about the recent friction between Luis de la Fuente, Hansi Flick, and Barcelona over the injury that kept Yamal out of the latest squad. Clemente played down the tension and stressed the need for discretion. “What is clear is that it needs to be handled differently. Neither Barca should confront the Federation, nor the Federation confront Barca. Nor the coach. That should be handled internally.”
Clemente added that he did not view De la Fuente’s comments as an attack. “It was magnified. De la Fuente did not intend, for sure, to offend him,” he said, explaining that similar injury management issues have been routine across his own coaching career. He noted that he once took an extra injured player to camp so the national team doctors could oversee recovery, assuring the club that “If the kid cannot play, do not worry because he will not.”
When it came to offering guidance for Yamal off the pitch, Clemente stepped back. “I am not going to advise him anything. Everyone does what they want with their life. The responsibility belongs to him, to his circle, to his coach and to the club.”
