Former Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez has lifted the lid on his relationship with Lamine Yamal and says he was a father figure to the teenager during his time with the Catalans.
Martinez spent two years at Barcelona, playing with Yamal, and left last summer after winning La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super League titles with Hansi Flick’s side.
The defender says he got on well with Yamal and tried to help steer him in the right direction.
“I had a special relationship with Lamine, which was mutual
from the very beginning. And it’s true that he saw me as a role model, like a father in the locker room,” he told Cope.
“He arrived very young, and these kinds of locker rooms are usually complicated. But I don’t think he’s aware of the burden he’s carrying, because at 18, he’s a footballer who has to pull the team together. I hope he continues like this, because the day he realizes it, it will weigh on him.”
Martinez also sought to defend Yamal from criticism and said it’s inevitable he’ll makes mistakes as he’s still so young.
“The good thing about Lamine Yamal is that he’s a kid who is focused and performs at a level that I’ve never seen at such a young age. And the difference between when he’s on the pitch and when he’s not is noticeable,“ he added.
“He has people around him who keep a tight rein on him. But he’s young and he’ll make mistakes that everyone will talk about.”
Yamal has been back in training this week after recovering from injury, and it’s hoped he will be passed fit in time for Saturday’s match against Girona.
