BARCELONA-. The coach of Barcelona Xavi Hernandez noted that his prodigies Lamine Yamal, 16, and Pau Cubarsí, 17, could “mark an era in world football”this Friday during the press conference prior to Saturday's duel against Las Palmas.
“Their challenge is to remain in elite football for many years. They have the capabilities, the conditions and the mentality. They are two footballers who will mark an era in Barça and world football,” said Xavi.
Yamal was the best player of the Spanish team on Tuesday in a friendly against Brazil (3-3) at the Santiago Bernabéu, while Cubarsí made his international debut three days earlier against Colombia, in the 1-0 defeat at Wembley.
“Many arrive but staying is the most difficult. They can, they have mentality and ability,” added the coach, who described Yamal as “very calm.”
“On a mental level I see that he is a happy boy, a joker, who has more and more fun, he is happy,” he continued about the winger.
Barcelona will try to reduce its eight-point difference with the leader, Real Madrid, who faces Athletic on Sunday.
The Blaugranas will then face, on April 10, the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, visiting Paris Saint-Germain.
“There is still time for PSG. We have to focus on the League because we want to fight for it and we think we can do it. We have to put pressure on Real Madrid,” said Xavi.
