Rubén Rossi: It is no coincidence that Lamine Yamal comes out of the Barcelona academy after Messi

Roben Rossi, one of the leading talent development specialists in South American football, has stated that Lamine Yamal's emergence after Lionel Messi from the FC Barcelona academy 'La Masia' is no coincidence, praising the Catalan club's ability to discover and develop talents, and giving them the opportunity to reach the first team.

Rossi stated in an interview with Spanish newspaper 'Sport' that La Masia has a clear vision regarding the type of players they are looking for, emphasizing that they focus on talent and the ability to play, rather than physical criteria such as height and weight. He added that FC Barcelona continues to produce players with similar technical characteristics thanks to its clear football philosophy and its focus on ball possession and creating spaces.

The Argentine expert highlighted that Messi benefited from the training environment at FC Barcelona, which helped him develop his talent and refine his abilities, instead of being asked to perform roles that do not match his capabilities. He emphasized the need to give young players the freedom to play and make decisions, considering that playing is the essential tool for learning football, rather than an excessive focus on physical training or results in youth categories.

Rossi praised Lamine Yamal's talent, stating he could become one of the top five players in football history if he continues to develop as required. He explained that the value of great stars is not limited to scoring goals but also includes improving the performance of their teammates and elevating the team's level. He also commended young defender Pau Cubarsi, considering him to possess exceptional maturity in handling defensive situations. He concluded by emphasizing that FC Barcelona's success in developing talents relies on three essential elements: discovering the right players, establishing a clear football identity, and having the courage to give talents their chance with the first team.