Teen sensations Yamal and Mastantuono need space to develop says Trezeguet

ASUNCION – Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono are dazzling fans at just 17, but must be allowed to develop without excessive pressure to reach their potential, former France striker David Trezeguet said on May 14.

“Yamal is a pure, unique talent, a player who has proven to be different from the rest. He grew up in Barcelona’s academy, where the Lionel Messi identity is very present, so these kids copy that format,” Trezeguet, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, said.

Mastantuono, River Plate’s attacking midfielder who is making waves in Argentina, is “demonstrating all his qualities at a very young age”, the Frenchman added.

Yamal is the youngest player to debut and score for Spain. With Barcelona, he has already won the Spanish league, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. He also won the European Championship with Spain.

Trezeguet – a former player at River Plate, where Mastantuono made his debut in January 2024 – emphasised that both players “are great to watch” because of the way they play and the way they “express their talent”.

“They’ll have time to perfect everything else. They’re young. But I think it’s important for football in general to have this type of player who serves as an example for the younger players,” he said.

Juan Pablo Sorin, the former Argentina defender who played for both River Plate and Barcelona, said:“I don’t like comparisons, because it’s like limiting the player who’s emerging.

“It’s the same thing that happened to Lamine and Leo (Messi). It’s true that the position is similar, but the characteristics are different, and each player has their own potential, qualities and areas for improvement.”

Both Trezeguet and Sorin said River Plate fans should make the most of Mastantuono’s time there as he would