RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sourcesReal Madrid-bound winger tipped to surpass Barcelona star Lamine Yamal: ‘His potential is enormous’
Barcelona have had two successive seasons of domestic dominance, winning five out of six possible trophies under Hansi Flick.
During the same period, their arch-rivals Real Madrid have not managed to win a single trophy, prompting them to make wholesale changes this summer.
Florentino Perez has brought back Jose Mourinho as their manager and opened the chequebook to reinforce the squad at his disposal.
The club have already wrapped up deals for Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella and Carlos Espi.
However, arguably their biggest transfer of this summer is yet to be announced, with Yan Diomande set to join them from RB Leipzig for a mammoth fee.
Barcelona had made an enquiry for the player earlier in the summer but chose to move for Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi since.
Former teammate makes bold Lamine comparison
Gonzalez believes Diomande will surpass Yamal. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The teenage winger has received extraordinary praise from someone who knows him better than most, his former Leganes captain Sergio Gonzalez.
Speaking to AS , the 34-year-old Spaniard has claimed that Diomande has what it takes to match and even surpass the level of Barça star Lamine Yamal.
When asked directly whether Diomande could one day reach Lamine Yamal’s level, Gonzalez did not hesitate.
“Honestly, yes. It may sound crazy, but looking at his development, I see him at that level,” he said.
The former Leganes captain acknowledged that Lamine has already established himself among football’s elite, but insisted Diomande’s ceiling is just as high if he continues developing.
“Lamine has had more continuity and has been proving it for longer, but if Yan gets that opportunity, I think he can reach his level and even surpass him,” Gonzalez added.
The 34-year-old then summed up his assessment of the Real Madrid-bound winger in emphatic fashion.
“He’s exceptionally gifted and his potential is enormous. He’s a phenomenon.”
High praise, but Lamine is the gold standard
The comparison underlines just how highly Diomande is rated within Spanish football, but it also highlights the level he would need to reach.
Diomande had an impressive World Cup campaign. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Both wingers are of the same age and are now set to play for two of Spain’s biggest teams and arch-rivals, naturally paving the way for the comparison.
However, Lamine, unlike Diomande, is not simply one of the brightest young talents in the game.
At just 19, he is already a World Cup winner, one of Barcelona’s most decisive players and widely regarded as one of the leading attackers in world football.
That is an exceptionally high benchmark for any teenager, regardless of potential, and the Barça boy is the one setting it.
Diomande undoubtedly has exciting attributes, and Real Madrid clearly believe he can become one of Europe’s next elite wingers.
However, translating that potential into consistent performances at one of the biggest clubs in the world needs more than just talent.
Gonzalez’s comments might be flattering for Diomande to hear, but he will be the first one to acknowledge that reaching Lamine’s level needs much more than an endorsement from his former captain.
It remains to be seen how Diomande gets on at Real Madrid and whether he can reach Lamine’s level someday.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.