Rivalries run deep in Spanish football. But sometimes, even the fiercest opponents can't help but respect talent — no matter the jersey.
That’s exactly what happened when Sergio Ramos, a Real Madrid icon, gave a glowing review of Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal.
Yamal has taken the football world by storm over the past year. At just 17, he’s already a major part of both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
While most teenagers worry about exams, Yamal is winning trophies and turning defenders inside out.
At a press conference this week, Ramos didn’t hold back in his praise. "For me, Lamine is a reality that's coming on strong. He's breaking records that aren't normal for his age. I wish Lamine the best, even though he's a Barca player, because I always want our national team to do well," he said.
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Sergio Ramos picks his 2025 Ballon d'Or winner
Yamal's rise has been meteoric. He lit up Euro 2024, earned the Young Player of the Tournament award, and helped Spain lift the trophy.
Back at club level, he notched 21 goals and 25 assists in 62 appearances — numbers that would make seasoned pros proud.
He played a key role in Barcelona’s treble-winning campaign, helping them win La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa.
Even in the Champions League, he impressed during their run to the semifinals, where they narrowly lost to Inter Milan.
Despite the Ballon d’Or buzz around Yamal, Ramos picked former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe as his favorite. The Frenchman bagged 43 goals in his first season with Real Madrid. Clearly, Ramos still has a soft spot for Los Blancos.
Yamal is currently recharging during the off-season and will rejoin Barcelona for pre-season training in July. All eyes will be on him when the new La Liga season kicks off.
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