According to a report by Barca Universal on Friday October 16, 2026, Former Barcelona youth coach Ivan Carrasco has revealed that Lamine Yamal possessed extraordinary footballing ability long before breaking into the first team.

Carrasco believes the young winger's natural talent, exceptional decision-making and understanding of the game separated him from his peers, insisting that no coach ever needed to teach him how to play football.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Carrasco reflected on his experience coaching Barcelona's 2006 and 2007 youth generations. His former players included Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Bernal, Hector Fort, Xavi Espart and Marc Guiu.

The coach described Yamal as an exceptional talent whose performances during matches and training sessions consistently demonstrated his superiority. He highlighted the teenager's dribbling, finishing and technical quality as qualities that made him stand out.

Carrasco explained that Yamal's greatest strength extended beyond his ability with the ball. His understanding of different situations and his ability to make the right decisions quickly also distinguished him from other youngsters.

He insisted that Barcelona should avoid placing unnecessary restrictions on the winger's natural instincts. According to Carrasco, exceptional talents like Yamal need support, freedom and the right environment to develop rather than excessive coaching that could limit their creativity.

Meanwhile, Carrasco also praised Cubarsi for his leadership qualities and maturity during their time together. He revealed that the defender demonstrated impressive communication skills and possessed a mentality that placed him ahead of many teammates.

Bernal also earned recognition for his development under Carrasco's guidance. The coach explained that the midfielder initially played in a more advanced central role before developing his abilities as a defensive midfielder.

However, Barcelona's youth coaching staff had to make adjustments because Xavi Espart was already occupying that position regularly. They experimented with Bernal at right-back to ensure both youngsters could receive sufficient playing time.

The tactical adjustment proved successful during that period, allowing Bernal to continue developing while accommodating Espart in his preferred role. Carrasco's reflections highlight the quality of Barcelona's youth academy and the exceptional abilities that helped shape its promising generation of players.