Frenkie de Jong hails Barcelona’s latest breakout academy gem: “He has something special”

Speaking at the premiere of the second season of the docuseries “FC Barcelona: A New Era”, midfielder Frenkie de Jong had special words of praise for academy product Lamine Yamal.

The 16-year-old La Masia wonderkid has been the breakout star of the season so far for Barcelona and Spain, making waves at the club and international level as well.

Yamal has already broken several records for both club and country and has been garnering a lot of praise for his early-season form.

De Jong hails ‘special’ Yamal

Now, de Jong, too has joined the bandwagon, stating that Yamal has something special, although he did insist that the youngster must keep on working to realise his full potential.

Speaking to Movistar+ (h/t Mundo Deportivo), he said: “He has something special, but he is still very young. He can already give us a lot at the moment.

“But he has many years ahead of him and has room for improvement, like everyone else. If he keeps improving and working well, he has a very high ceiling.”

De Jong on Barcelona’s UCL chances

De Jong has been top-notch this season. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Barcelona will kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign next week with a Group H clash against Royal Antwerp.

It is important that the Catalans start strongly after having been eliminated at the group stage two seasons in a row.

“We haven’t qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League two years in a row, so we can’t talk too much, we have to prove it on the pitch first, we have confidence, but we have to play the games,” de Jong said about Barcelona’s prospects in the competition.

The Dutchman did add that the group seemed easier than last season’s saying: “It’s true that last year’s group looked to be more difficult than this year’s.”

De Jong has been one of Barcelona’s best players this season, but insisted that he still needs to improve, stating:

“I still have a lot of room for improvement.”


Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/frenkie-de-jong-hails-barcelonas-latest-breakout-academy-gem-he-has-something-special/

Author : Michel Durant

Publish date : 2023-09-15 08:50:37

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Frenkie de Jong hails Barcelona’s latest breakout academy gem: “He has something special”- Frenkie de Jong hails Barcelona’s latest breakout academy gem: “He has something special” *Frenkie de Jong hails Barcelona’s latest breakout academy gem: “He has something special”