Former Barcelona forward talks Xavi, Messi, Guardiola, Yamal: “Saw a reflection of myself in him”

Javier Saviola gained a lot of traction last season for coaching Barcelona’s U-19 side, notably playing a key role in the rapid growth of Lamine Yamal.

In a recent interview with Onda Cero (h/t SPORT), Saviola talked about Yamal’s growth trajectory while touching on many other topics, including Xavi, Lionel Messi, and even Pep Guardiola.

Javier Saviola on Lamine Yamal

“Last year we were interested in taking Lamine Yamal to the human side, outside of football, to see how he reacted and it also surprised us,” Saviola said on Yamal.

The Argentine had coached Yamal between 2022 to 2023, which means he had seen the player’s growth trajectory quite closely. He went on to highlight Yamal’s maturity, both on and off the pitch.

“We saw that he was developing into a very complete player at just 15 years old, he carried out the games alone. I often saw a reflection of myself in Lamine Yamal. I loved chatting with him,” he added.

Saviola on Xavi, Messi

Javier Saviola played for Barcelona between 2001 to 2007. During that time, he had played with the likes of Xavi and Lionel Messi.

Talking about Xavi as Barcelona coach, the Argentine backed him to succeed at Camp Nou.

“Xavi already knew that he was going to be a coach. He also knows every corner of Barça, he was born there, and he is the ideal coach for Barcelona,” he said.

“I wish him the best. Xavi and his family helped me a lot and he was very important in my arrival in Barcelona. As a footballer and as a person he was very great,” he added.

Saviola also revealed how the coaches wanted to show him then-prodigy Messi when he joined Barcelona, adding, “When I arrived in Barcelona, ​​Carles Rexach kept telling me that I had to go see a kid from the youth academy who was outstanding. He was Leo Messi.”

On Pep Guardiola and move to Real Madrid

Saviola went on to praise Pep Guardiola, stating, “Guardiola as a coach is like playing with Messi on the pitch, everything he touches turns into gold, he is an expert, you know that if you sit in front of a TV to watch Pep’s team you are going to enjoy it.”

During the end of his spell at Barça, Saviola had infamously joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2007.

The Argentine opened up on the topic, adding, “When I left Barcelona for Real Madrid I always had kind words for Barça, I finished my contract and I wanted to continue my career, I went to a great club like Madrid. I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s sentiments.”