FC Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola addressed previously reported interest from his current employers Manchester City in Lamine Yamal, while speaking from the Legends Trophy as part of quotes picked up by Mundo Deportivo.
It was in September 2023 that MARCA reported how City allegedly “went with everything” to try and snatch Lamine away from the club of his life, where he’s been since seven years of age.
As is now obvious, though, Lamine politely declined the Mancunians’ offer and continued at Barca to become a Ballon d’Or candidate amid winning the Euros with Spain.
Speaking from the Legends Trophy, a fellow La Masia product in ex-Barca player and coach Guardiola sarcastically said he was “surprised that City are interested in the player” in reference to Lamine, who he didn’t want to say is currently the world’s best.
“I don’t know. He’s very good, against Inter [Milan] they gave him the ball to decide [the game]. I’m surprised that at 17 years old he does these things. The best place to be is Can Barca. As a Culer, I’m happy with the year they’ve had and that he can be at Barca for many years,” Guardiola added.
The last part of that statement was a nod to Lamine signing a contract extension until June 30, 2031, which Guardiola joked will help the teenager buy a “cool house”.
“If the club pays it, it’s because they deserve it," Guardiola said, in reference to Lamine and the player he is most commonly compared to which is none other than “competitive animal” Lionel Messi.
Guardiola warned that Lamine has to be “sure to be surrounded by the right people”, and though he is “very good”, the winger “has to make his own way”.
On the Ballon d’Or, Ousmane Dembele “has won everything”, but the fact that Lamine “can be nominated at 17 years old is to say ‘wow!’”. “But we’ll see,” Guardiola also remarked.
FC Barcelona ace Lamine has tough competition for the Ballon d’Or
Once thought of as the runaway favourite for football’s highest individual honor, Lamine now has strong competition from ex-Barca forward Ousmane Dembele for the Ballon d’Or after he lifted the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain.
Other FC Barcelona stars that could push the pair for recognition from France Football and its panel include Raphinha and Pedri.