Real Madrid star Dani Carvajal has defended Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal from media criticism, stressing that the youngster already carries a heavy load on his shoulders. He also spoke about the difficulty of refereeing when asked about several controversial decisions during the first three weeks of the season.
Lamine Yamal has been heavily criticized this summer for his off-field behavior, while at the start of the season he was also accused of arrogance on the pitch. However, Carvajal emphasized that he deserves understanding.
“People need to understand that it’s complicated. He’s an 18-year-old kid who is already a key player for Barcelona, one of the best clubs in the world. He’s making a difference, he’s signed an important contract, his impact has grown enormously, and in the end, it’s not easy to handle all of that,” Carvajal told Cadena SER.
“He will make mistakes, just like all of us. But at the end of the day, if he gives his maximum on the pitch, gives everything, and has the quality that he clearly possesses – which is undeniable – then he can become a player who leaves a mark on an era.”
Carvajal, however, refused to enter the debate about the Ballon d’Or, also recalling the online abuse – some of it racially motivated – that his teammates, such as David Alaba, have received for their voting choices when they did not support Real Madrid candidates.
“He could be a Ballon d’Or candidate, especially considering his age. At the end of the day, let’s not forget he is 18, and at that age I was still at Castilla. It’s very difficult to make a difference at that age in professional football. As for the vote, I won’t be giving it to anyone, because I’m not a captain, so I’m excluded from that,” Carvajal concluded.
