Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s prodigious young talent, has been making waves across Europe at just 18 years old. Amid glowing praise for his dribbling, vision, and attacking creativity, reports now highlight a specific area he is actively working to improve: his right-foot proficiency. The teenage superstar recognizes the need beyond flair—he wants balance.

Barcelona and Spain’s rising number 10 knows that relying almost exclusively on his left foot can limit his positional versatility. According to Diario Sport, Yamal is spending extra time in training drills aimed at strengthening his weaker foot—part of a tailored regimen overseen by head coach Hansi Flick and Barca coaching staff. This focus comes amid the club’s preseason tours, where glimpses of Yamal practicing two-footed control and finishing have been noted.

Yamal’s work ethic aligns with his own prediction from earlier in the summer: “Every year I will improve… in my game … my body will grow and change,” he told Inside Barça, hinting at a maturation trajectory that includes both physical and technical evolution.

The teenager’s 2024–25 season stats underline his elite status. He scored 18 goals and supplied a league-best 13 assists in La Liga, contributing to Barcelona’s domestic treble under Flick. He also received multiple U‑23 Player of the Month awards and extended his contract until 2031, cementing his role as a central figure in the club’s future.

Former Barcelona striker Luis Suarez weighed in recently, acknowledging Yamal’s maturity and talent while advising the youngster to continue enjoying the game as he grows—a sentiment echoed in his ongoing desire for refinement.

Yamal’s highlights often spotlight his dazzling runs, pinpoint passing, and left‑footed control. Nonetheless, both fans and analysts on forums like Reddit have noted that his finishing—especially in one-on-one scenarios—is an area with room for improvement. One thread suggested that although his passing is world-class, his body positioning may limit finishing accuracy in high-pressure situations.

Barcelona internals believe two-footed ability will not only enhance his unpredictability but also extend his tactical adaptability across the front line. It’s the next step in transforming from standout La Masia graduate to full global phenomenon.

As Barcelona conclude their Asia tour with emphatic wins—including a 5‑0 thrashing of Daegu FC—Yamal’s latest performances have further cemented his star status. With the club assigning him the iconic dorsal No. 10, he’s now fully positioned as a generational heir within a new era crafted under Flick.

In essence, what makes Yamal stand out isn’t just his flair or youth—it’s his determination to be complete. As he hones his right foot, he’s signaling intent: to transcend natural gifts with disciplined improvement. Behind the dazzling assists and goals is a young player eager to refine the missing pieces. That maturation mindset may soon elevate Yamal from bright talent to all‑time great.