Young talent has increasingly become the order of the day in elite football. That does not mean that one should get used to a look like that Lamine Yamalwho will be 17 years old this Saturday and was presented as one of the great attractions of Spain-England of the final of European Cup of Berlin.
What is the end of Barça This is something unheard of. A few months ago he was playing with the club’s youth team and in the semifinals he sent home the France of Kylian Mbappé in a game tied to a true wonder. A beautiful left foot shot, world-class. It’s too early to know what the future holds Lamine Yamalbut the fan inevitably projects what could have been a legendary career had the injuries taken care of him.
However, he is not the only young talent on the pitch at the Berlin stadium. A war for the dominance of future generations in which he wants to take sides Kobbie Mainoo, who lived in parallel with the Spanish star in the same year. A footballer two years older (19 years old), yes, but he has to save the Manchester Unitedas Lamine did in Barçaso that when the season is over, he will be one of the best at his club.
Comparisons are hateful. Anyone who tries to compare himself to the Spanish will lose. But Mainoo At least it withstood some attacks. His experience in elite football is less, but even so his impact is remarkable. So much that it is even FA Cup Final MVP which they defeated Pep Guardiola, including the goal. After his 35 games as a Red Devil, Southgate responded to public demands and signed Kobbie, who had not even made his debut in an official match before the Euro Cup.
Popular outcry is not a whim. It has been shown. Unsurprisingly, Manchester City and United battled to sign him. He started as the last line for the middle of the field. Trent-Alexander Arnold and Connor Gallagher didn’t work out, and in the round of 16 he got his chance as a starter and he hasn’t left there. “I read the comparisons between me and Mainoo, don’t waste your time, he is 10 times better player than me at 19 years old. This kid is special…”, wrote one legend like Paul Scholes about him. “We have never had a player like him until now,” he highlighted. Gareth Southgatenow confesses love to his student.
Mainoo He is one of those players who doesn’t feel pressure. That he doesn’t burn the ball when it gets ugly. Something that makes the difference between great midfielders and great ones. If England have improved their game, it is largely because they now have him on the field, and in defensive roles he is a man who steals and presses. A complete footballer.
A final of European Cup with many incentives, as usual a Spain-England. One of them, no doubt, is the rivalry between Lamine Yamal and Mainooleaders of the next generation.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
