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Villarreal defender Pape Gayé hailed Lamine Yamal after [Sunday’s La Liga clash with Barcelona](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2025/5/18/24432694/three-talking-points-from-barcelona-2-3-villarreal) and made it clear just how difficult it is to face the teenager.
Yamal scored another brilliant goal in the match at Montjuic and almost bagged another stunner but was denied by the woodwork.
Gaye spoke about Yamal afterwards and seemed blown away by the 17-year-old’s talent.
> “Guys, Lamine Yamal is really good. At one point, he stared at me and I said, ‘Hey, I don’t want to end up on a TikTok edit.’ I backed off right away. I want a quiet end to the season!” he said.
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> “He is the one who decides Barça’s actions... at 17 years old! He is a very mature player. When he did crazy things, some of our players would say: ‘He’s better than Messi’. The coach had even asked the wide players to make a double mark on him.”
Yamal’s brilliance has helped Barca win the double this season and also means he’s definitely in the running for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.