There's a footballer in the Spanish national team who's starting to make a difference consistently. It's Lamine Yamal, who, at just 18 years old, excelled again against Türkiye with two assists. An authoritative voice, Álvaro Benito, publicly surrendered to his talent.
The FC Barcelona youth product was one of the main protagonists despite not scoring. His ability to create play, assist, and influence La Roja's attacks led Álvaro Benito, former player and current commentator for El Larguero, to spare no praise for him.
This situation confirms what many already suspect: Spain has found its next football leader in Lamine.
Álvaro Benito's praise
Álvaro Benito didn't hold back in his analysis and left some significant remarks. In his appearance on El Larguero, the former Madrid player was fascinated: "Lamine Yamal's match, despite not scoring, was unbelievable."
He didn't stop there, but wanted to highlight the direct impact the blaugrana had on the national team's offensive play: "He created so much, every time he got the ball, things happened." With these words, Benito reflected what every spectator had perceived: Lamine is already a decisive footballer in high-pressure situations.
An immediate impact on the national team
Lamine Yamal's numbers speak for themselves about his importance. In this last match, he didn't score, but he did provide two assists that increased Spain's rout. At just 18 years old, he has become a reference point for the strikers around him.
His connection with players like Dani Olmo or Morata is already producing immediate results.
What is surprising is the naturalness with which he imposes himself on the field. At his age, it's normal to show inconsistency. However, Lamine conveys an unusual sense of maturity.
Benito pointed this out in the same discussion: "He's a different player, one of those who make people get up from their seats."
"For me, he's really, really good. He needs to feel that. He's young, and the coach's job is to make him see that what he's created is unbelievable," he continued.
In fact, for the former Madrid player, Lamine Yamal's match was "really good. He had two actions he needs to finish better, for sure, but we need to focus more on the positive than the negative."
The contrast with Arda Güler
Lamine's performance not only has a positive impact, but also highlights the comparison with Arda Güler. The Turk, who is from the same generation and is at Real Madrid, hasn't managed to stand out either with his national team or at the white club. Meanwhile, the Barça winger is accumulating quality minutes, assists, and important victories.
The contrast is inevitable and fuels a debate that makes people uncomfortable in the upper echelons of Bernabéu. The Barça talent shines, while the Madrid player still hasn't managed to justify the expectations that had been created around him.
Admiration grows inside and outside Barça
The fact that figures like Álvaro Benito, historically linked to Real Madrid, recognize Lamine Yamal's greatness is an unmistakable sign. His play knows no colors, and every match brings new supporters.
Barça celebrates that the jewel of its youth academy keeps growing by leaps and bounds, and Spain enjoys a footballer who promises to make history. What was a one-off compliment yesterday now sounds like a definitive statement: Lamine is here to stay.
Álvaro Benito publicly surrenders to Lamine Yamal on El Larguero: "His match was unbelievable, he created so much." The blaugrana keeps growing with Spain.