MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Concerns have been raised about the welfare of Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and the “alarming” demands on him at such a young age.
The 18-year-old Spain international is already regarded as one of the best soccer players in the world and has broken a slew of records since bursting onto the scene when he was just 15.
But global soccer players' union FIFPRO believes the workload placed on Yamal could risk his “long-term development and well-being.”
According to a study published by FIFPRO on Monday, the forward had made 130 senior appearances by 18 — far outstripping the stats of other prodigious young players from the past.
By comparison, Spain great Andres Iniesta had made 40 appearances by that age. Yamal's Barcelona teammate Gavi had made 60