Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal will be handled like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona were in their younger years, says Spain boss Luis de la Fuente.

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Teenager has enjoyed meteoric riseHas made history along the wayStill has potential to be unlockedWHAT HAPPENED?

At just 16 years of age, Yamal is already an established performer at club level with La Liga giants Barca and a senior international with two caps to his name. The talented teenager has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence, but he is far from being the finished article.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Rather than look to rein him in as ever greater demands are lumped onto young shoulders, De la Fuente says Yamal will be given license to flourish and learn at his own pace – with a similar approach having allowed Argentine icons Messi and Maradona to become global superstars.

WHAT THEY SAID

Spain boss De la Fuente has said of helping Yamal down a career path that could lead to the very top of the game: “He has fantastic potential and conditions. We have to take care of him, he is young. But, do you remember when Messi or Maradona were 16 years old? We should not put limits on these good footballers. We must let them develop all their potential. That's what we're trying to do with this player here and at his club.”

GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Yamal has been a regular under Xavi at Camp Nou this season, as he waits on a first senior goal for the Blaugrana, and is back in the Spain squad – having already made history when opening his account for them – ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers against Scotland and Norway.