Lamine Yamal just turned 18 and is already one of the biggest stars at FC Barcelona and in world soccer. Nobody questions his talent, his impact on European soccer is undeniable, and his future seems destined to define an era. However, alarms are also starting to go off in the offices at Camp Nou.
The reason isn't related to sports. What worries Barça is the player's off-field environment. The club believes he risks losing touch with reality and living too fast a top-level life that could throw him off track.
18 years old and global fame
Few players achieve fame at such a young age. Lamine Yamal has done it, but that exposure comes with risks. Since he established himself in the first team and the Spanish national team, his private life has been under the spotlight.
The media attention isn't limited to soccer. The young culé is starting to make headlines in the tabloid press, something that worries the blaugrana leaders. His age, media pressure, and the influence of those around him could become an explosive combination.
A night of 10,000 euros
What has set off the most alarms was his latest romantic getaway with singer Nicki Nicole. The tabloid press has revealed that Lamine reportedly spent more than 10,000 euros in a single night at a top-level hotel, the The Mybourne Riviera in Monaco.
The figure hasn't gone unnoticed in Barça's offices. Not because of the money itself, which he can afford, but because of the image it projects and the path he could follow if he normalizes that kind of excess.
The club insists that such young idols need discipline and support to avoid falling into dangerous situations.
Laporta keeping an eye on the gem
Joan Laporta is one of the most alert to the case. The president knows that Lamine Yamal is the club's gem, the great hope for Barça's sporting and financial future. Taking care of his personal development is just as important as his performance on the field.
The blaugrana president has already experienced Ronaldinho's downfall firsthand. The last thing he wants is for history to repeat itself with Lamine Yamal.
The fear is that the media frenzy will make him lose perspective. In the locker room, they acknowledge that he is a focused young man, but also that his environment could lead him astray if not managed carefully.
Barça's challenge: protecting him
The situation is delicate. Barça must find the balance between allowing Lamine to enjoy his youth and preventing things from getting out of control. For now, there are no sanctions or public warnings, but there is growing concern in the offices.
Lamine Yamal's future will depend as much on what he does on the field as on what he avoids off it. The club knows this, which is why they're working to shield him before fame makes him lose touch with reality.