Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has shared his admiration for Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, describing his performances as nothing short of “incredible.”
Speaking to Sports WorldVerstappen could not hide his surprise and wide-eyed respect for the teenager who continues to make history with Barça.
Verstappen himself knows what it is like to break into the highest level of sport at a young age, having debuted in Formula 1 as a teenager and gone on to dominate the grid.
He sees clear similarities between his own rise and Yamal’s stunning progress.
“What he’s doing is impressive for his age, eh?” Verstappen said, before adding with a mix of admiration and disbelief: “It’s incredible.”
Backing Yamal for Ballon d’Or
When asked about Yamal’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or in the future, the Dutch driver was certain it is only a matter of time.
“Look, it’s true that the Ballon d’Or has to be won by the best, but honestly, now, after the era of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there is no clear winner, at least for me, there is no particular player who is far ahead of the others at the moment.
“Maybe some are still too young or whatever. But I’m sure Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d’Or in the next few years,” he argued firmly.
Verstappen impressed by Hansi Flick’s Barça
Verstappen’s admiration is not limited to individual players. The Dutchman is also a passionate Barcelona fan and follows the team closely.
Unlike casual supporters, he makes sure to watch games regularly and stay updated with the latest developments.
Asked about his opinion of Hansi Flick’s style of play since taking charge of Barcelona, Verstappen gave a clear thumbs-up.
“I like it. So far it’s gone well. It’s very offensive. Sometimes risky on defence. It depends, because it’s something that works most of the time.
“But, of course, it also depends a bit on how the other teams play. You can’t always play with the same system. But I like it. And it’s gone well,” he concluded.
