Sports
Former Barcelona VP says Lamine Yamal should be sold if the club can’t manage him properly
Former Barcelona vice-president Toni Freixa says Lamine Yamal should be sold if the club cannot manage him properly.
Yamal has rapidly developed into one of the most high-profile players in world football but, with that, comes an increased scrutiny into his private life.
The Spain international was a regular on the front covers of newspapers over the summer after he reportedly went on holiday with an OnlyFans model 12 years his senior while his 18th birthday party featured the use of dwarves as entertainment.
His performances on the field have not suffered and he was rewarded with a six-year contract in May.
But Freixa insists he needs to remain on the right path if his career is to pan out as he hopes.
He told El Chiringuito de Jugones: “If Lamine were my son I would tell him that he is not as good as they say he is. Keep working hard and don’t believe anything they’ve told you. Focus only on football.
“If Lamine has any kind of problem that needs to be managed, they [Barca] have to help him.”
Yamal, like everyone else, is just ‘passing through’
Freixa said if the situation spiralled out of control then there should only be one outcome, hinting he would have to be sold.
He added: “In theory, if it reaches a point where this problem cannot be managed, and nothing happens, Barça continues…
“I do not discount any scenario about my club. Everyone is passing through, the important thing is Barca.”
Yamal, who was marked out of the game by international team-mate Marc Cucurella in Barca’s 3-0 defeat at Chelsea in midweek, is expected to start against Alaves at Camp Nou tomorrow.
