According to a report by Barca Universal on Friday, October 16, 2026, former Barcelona youth coach Ivan Carrasco has revealed that Lamine Yamal displayed exceptional footballing ability long before making his first team breakthrough.

Carrasco believes Yamal’s natural talent, decision making and understanding of the game set him apart from other young players, explaining that the winger already possessed qualities that could not easily be taught.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Carrasco reflected on his time coaching Barcelona’s 2006 and 2007 youth generations, which included Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Bernal, Hector Fort, Xavi Espart and Marc Guiu.

The coach described Yamal as an outstanding talent whose performances in training and matches consistently impressed those around him. He praised the teenager’s dribbling, finishing and technical ability, which made him stand out among his teammates.

However, Carrasco explained that Yamal’s greatest strength was not simply his technical quality. His ability to read situations, understand the game and make quick decisions also separated him from other young footballers.

He believes Barcelona must allow the winger to express himself naturally rather than placing unnecessary restrictions on his game. According to Carrasco, players with exceptional talent need freedom, support and the right environment to develop their abilities without losing their creativity.

Carrasco also praised Cubarsi for his leadership and maturity during their time together at the academy. He said the defender demonstrated impressive communication skills and a mentality that placed him ahead of many of his peers.

Bernal also received recognition for his development. Carrasco explained that the midfielder initially played in a more advanced central role before gradually developing into a defensive midfielder.

However, Barcelona’s coaching staff had to consider Xavi Espart, who was already playing regularly in that position. They eventually experimented with Bernal at right-back to ensure both youngsters could gain valuable playing time.

The adjustment helped accommodate the players’ development while allowing them to continue gaining experience. Carrasco’s comments highlight the quality of Barcelona’s youth academy and the exceptional talents emerging from its promising generation.