Robert Lewandowski has expressed that Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal impressed him even more than German talent Jamal Musiala, highlighting the young winger’s exceptional potential. Meanwhile, Barcelona is reportedly ‘very advanced’ in negotiations with free agent Jonathan Tah, with the Bayer Leverkusen defender set to become available next summer. Despite Sporting Director Deco’s earlier comments distancing the club from Tah, the deal appears to be moving forward, with Barcelona joining Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the race for his signature.
Lewandowski Says Barcelona Prodigy Amazed Him More Than Musiala
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona excels at blending experience with youth seamlessly. Despite being regarded as a relatively young team, the Catalan giants benefit from the presence of seasoned veterans. What truly sets this Barcelona side apart, however, is the unity and camaraderie among players of all ages and backgrounds.
Among the veterans, 36-year-old Polish star Robert Lewandowski stands out. Famous for his prolific goalscoring and a decade of dominance on the charts, the ex-Bayern Munich forward is now focused on driving Barcelona to success this season.
In a recent YouTube interview with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, the Polish player was also asked to share his thoughts on 17-year-old Barcelona talent Lamine Yamal, who is already seen as one of the key figures in the next generation of football stars.
Lewandowski initially admitted that he was amazed by the player’s talent, and this impression was made when the young winger was just 15 years old.
“The first I saw him training with us was when he was 15. I have seen many young, talented players, but with Lamine Yamal for the first time, I told myself, “Wow.”
In fact, for the former Bundesliga striker, Yamal’s talent appeared even more impressive than that of Jamal Musiala, one of the brightest young talents in German football. Ferdinand mentioned Musiala as an example of other promising players that Lewandowski had witnessed in person.
“You know (Jamal) Musiala also had something. But Lamine Yamal, the first training session I was like: how is such a level possible at this age? And even when I turned 16, that was like: come on, it’s impossible to be so good and so clever.”
However, Lewandowski acknowledged that he makes an effort to keep the young player grounded. While he praises the accomplishments and success he’s already achieved, he believes the youngster could benefit from guidance aimed at his future development.
“I always try to give him advices. On one side, what he’s done and what he’s been doing is amazing, but very soon, he will face the challenge to stay on this level or maybe the next step. It’s not about only 2-3 years but maybe 10 years; he has to think about being on this level at 28, 29, or even longer. I think this is the biggest challenge in his career.”
Barcelona ‘Very Advanced’ Deal with Free Agent
In recent years, both Barcelona and Real Madrid have increasingly turned to the free agent market, a shift from much of the 21st century. When it became clear that Jonathan Tah would be available, it was inevitable that Europe’s top clubs would show interest. The Bayer Leverkusen defender is set to be Bayern Munich is also interested in him, and his contract expires next summer.
Tah has opted not to extend his contract with Bayer Leverkusen, and according to El Chiringuito, Barcelona are ‘well advanced’ in talks with the Germany international. The club sees him as a prime opportunity in the transfer market and has decided to pursue a deal.
While Barcelona, along with Bayern and Madrid, have been seen as frontrunners for Tah, this is the first time reports of actual negotiations have emerged. Sporting Director Deco had previously downplayed the club’s interest in signing Tah, but this wouldn’t be the first time a deal contradicted his public statements. Tah is expected to make his final decision in 2025.
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