Raúl González Blanco, legendary Real Madrid striker and current club ambassador, didn’t hide his admiration for Lamine Yamal, the young Barcelona prodigy who, at just 18 years old, continues to amaze the football world with his maturity and ability to decide games.

During his participation in the Desafío Nacex, a charity padel tournament supporting the Pulmonary Hypertension Foundation, Raúl highlighted the young star’s impact and acknowledged that Yamal is achieving things rarely seen at his age. “He’s breaking many barriers and doing things very few have done on the pitch. Now he needs to consolidate everything he’s achieving,” said the former striker, who wore the white shirt in 741 official matches between 1994 and 2010.

Raúl Praises Yamal and Previews El Clásico

The eternal Madrid captain also took the opportunity to discuss the upcoming Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, set for October 26. In his view, how the teams arrive matters little, since this type of match “is always special.”

“I think Real Madrid, playing at home and with their fans behind them, will have a slight advantage, but they’ll face a great rival,” he commented. He then once again highlighted Lamine Yamal, whom he considers one of the main attractions of the match: “He’s a different kind of player, with tremendous potential, and he can be decisive for both his club and the Spanish national team.”

Courtois and Casillas’ Legacy

During the conversation, Raúl González was also asked about Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper since 2018. True to his diplomatic style, the former player avoided comparisons with Iker Casillas, but made sure to praise both. “Casillas is a legend of the club, an icon. Courtois is doing a great job, and time will put each one in their rightful place,” he stated.

With words full of respect for the new generations, Raúl showed that despite his deep Madrid roots, he doesn’t hesitate to recognize talent when he sees it—even if it shines in the colors of the eternal rival. And Lamine Yamal, with his flair and class, has already earned the admiration of one of the most beloved legends of the Santiago Bernabéu.