Zinedine Zidane shocked fans by bypassing Real Madrid players, opting instead for Barcelona and PSG talents when questioned about the footballers who inspire him today.
The legend who helped Real Madrid win numerous titles Champions League and set great milestones in the modern era has now openly admitted that Lamine Yamal from Barca is the player who excites him the most in world football right now.
For someone deeply connected with Real Madrid’s identity like Zinedine Zidane, his recent statements have caused a stir in Spain’s capital. Barcelona has long been regarded as a cradle of football geniuses, from Xavi and Iniesta to Lionel Messi.
Their philosophy has always been built on finesse, intelligence, and artistry. Now, with the emergence of Lamine Yamal, fans believe they are witnessing the perfect continuation of that tradition. Zidane’s praise (one of Real Madrid’s greatest icons) only strengthens that belief. For the culés, this is not just recognition but also a “sweet reward” coming from someone who was once on the opposite side.
In a recent interview, when asked about the current players who fascinate him the most, Zidane did not hesitate and immediately mentioned the “Catalan prodigy.”
Zidane said: “Regardless of position, the player who excites me most whenever he touches the ball is Lamine Yamal. In the Champions League match against Inter last year at San Siro, he did almost everything by himself. Then I thought of Vitinha and Joao Neves – players who rarely lose possession.”
This is not the first time Zidane has showered Yamal with praise, and probably not the last. In May, during a promotional event, the French legend also highly commended the teenage winger, especially after his brilliant performance against Inter Milan in the semifinals of the Champions League.
“When you watch him play, for example in the second half of the semifinal against Inter Milan... I have never seen anything like it in my life,” Zidane stated.
“It’s incredible to see a player dominate the pitch like that. We all enjoy watching him, and that’s why, among all the young talents today, Lamine Yamal is the one to follow closely.”
Yamal recently returned to training after a groin injury that caused him to miss the Spanish national team call-up. The 18-year-old appeared with a bright smile at Barcelona’s training center, participating in light exercises as he prepares for the demanding upcoming matches.
Coach Hansi Flick’s plan is to gradually restore Yamal’s fitness so he can be brought on as a substitute in the upcoming match against Girona this weekend, before aiming for a starting role against Olympiacos in the Champions League.
While Barcelona welcomes back their precious gem, Paris Saint-Germain is quietly monitoring Yamal’s progress. According to French media, the Parisian club has not abandoned its ambition to bring him to Parc des Princes. After parting ways with Lionel Messi, the Ligue 1 champions see Yamal as the next global face who can carry the club’s image, and they are among the few teams financially capable of pursuing this deal. Although Yamal recently signed a long-term contract after turning 18, rumors of a blockbuster offer that could shake Camp Nou continue to circulate, reminiscent of Neymar’s 222 million euro record transfer from Barca to PSG in 2017.
Barcelona’s schedule in the coming weeks is truly “breathless”: they will face Girona in La Liga on October 18, followed by a crucial Champions League clash with Olympiacos just three days later. The sequence will conclude with the first El Clasico of the season on October 26 – a match that could determine the title race.
Currently, Barcelona trails Real Madrid by 2 points after 8 La Liga rounds, and the away game at the Bernabéu will be pivotal. However, the Catalan club holds a psychological edge, having won all four Clasico matches in the 2024/25 season, scoring a total of 16 goals.