Raphinha hails 'golden feet' of Yamal
Raphinha paid tribute to the "golden feet" of Lamine Yamal, after the teenager inspired Barcelona to the victory it required against Espanyol to secure the LaLiga title.
The Blaugrana sealed the domestic crown with two matches remaining, after a 2-0 win over its local rival at RCDE Stadium.
Once again, Yamal played a starring role for Hansi Flick's side. The teenager broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half when he bent a wonderful 20-yard strike into the top corner, before setting up Fermin Lopez for the second goal in stoppage-time.
Yamal has scored 17 goals and provided 21 assists, including a league-high 13 in LaLiga, across all competitions, while only team-mate Raphinha (22) has bettered his tally of assists among LaLiga players.
"We didn't have many clear chances, but we have a kid in there who, sometimes, pulls something out of the golden feet he has," Raphinha said of Yamal. "He gave us peace of mind to stay in the game more calmly.
"In January, some people were saying we would fight to be third. We have confidence in ourselves. That's the key. We trust in the work and in what we know we can do."
Meanwhile, Raphinha's 56 goal involvements – 34 goals and 22 assists – are the most by any LaLiga player across all competitions this season, and the Brazilian is grateful for the trust shown in him by Flick.
"The most important thing was the confidence of the coach," he said. "Knowing at the start of the season that he was counting on me – a person who controls the team - it changes you in the end."
