Barcelona defender Jules Koundé has backed teammate Lamine Yamal to replicate the same sizzling form the Spain star showed at Euro 2024 in the upcoming season.
Yamal proved he’s worth the hype by helping Spain lift EURO 2024. Yamal, who gained promotion to Barça’s first team in July 2023, became the youngest ever player to appear and score at a European Championship.
The 17-year-old had a tournament-high four assists and was named the best young player in Germany.
Kounde whose French national team suffered a defeat from Spain, a match where Yamal scored has now shared his thought about the young winger.
Lamine Yamal of Spain poses for a photo after being awarded ‘Best Young Player’ after the UEFA EURO 2024 final (Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
“I expect to see the same from him that we saw last season and at the Euros,” Koundé said.
“He has grown a lot, and he is a player who makes a difference. He listens and learns and if he keeps doing that, he can only get better.”
Kounde also spoke about Athletic Club forward Nico Williams.
Nico Williams and Yamal were two of Spain’s standout players at Euro 2024. The Athletic Club forward has now been linked with a move to Barcelona. Yet to make a decision regarding his future, Koundé hopes Barça can land the Spanish forward.
“Nico is a very good player,” he said. “He has had a great European Championship and he is very young.
“We always want to play with good players. Let’s see what the club can do and if it can be done. If it gets done, I’ll be delighted.”
