According to a report by Barca Universal on Friday, October 16, 2026, former Barcelona youth coach Ivan Carrasco has revealed that Lamine Yamal demonstrated exceptional footballing ability long before establishing himself in the club's first team.

Carrasco believes the young winger's natural talent, intelligence and understanding of the game distinguished him from other players in his age group. He explained that Yamal possessed qualities that could not simply be taught through conventional coaching.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Carrasco reflected on his experience working with Barcelona's 2006 and 2007 youth generations, which included several players who have progressed towards senior football. Among those he coached were Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Bernal, Hector Fort, Xavi Espart and Marc Guiu.

The former youth coach described Yamal as an outstanding prospect whose performances in training and competitive matches consistently demonstrated his exceptional abilities.

He highlighted the winger's dribbling, finishing and technical skills as some of the qualities that made him particularly impressive. However, Carrasco explained that Yamal's greatest strength extended beyond his ability to control the ball and beat opponents.

According to the coach, the teenager's ability to understand different situations, assess his options and make quick decisions was equally remarkable. These qualities allowed him to influence matches and distinguish himself from other talented youngsters at the academy.

Carrasco also stressed the importance of allowing players with exceptional natural ability to express themselves on the pitch. He believes Barcelona should provide Yamal with the support and freedom necessary to develop without placing unnecessary restrictions on his playing style.

His assessment suggests that recognising and nurturing individual talent remains essential when developing young footballers, particularly those capable of producing creative solutions during matches.

Beyond Yamal, Carrasco also praised Cubarsi for his maturity and leadership qualities during their time together at Barcelona's academy.

He recalled that the defender demonstrated impressive communication skills and displayed a mentality that distinguished him from many of his teammates, even at a young age.

Bernal also received recognition for his development under Carrasco's guidance. The coach explained that the midfielder initially played in a more advanced central position before gradually adapting to the defensive midfield role.

However, Barcelona's coaching staff had to consider the development of Xavi Espart, who was already regularly occupying that position. To ensure both players received sufficient opportunities, the coaches experimented with deploying Bernal at right-back.

The adjustment allowed the academy to accommodate both youngsters while helping Bernal gain experience in a different position.

Carrasco's reflections offer insight into the development of Barcelona's promising young generation, highlighting the importance of natural ability, tactical intelligence, adaptability and effective youth coaching in preparing players for senior football.