Lamine Yamal receives huge praise from Czech Republic coach ahead of Nations League clash: ‘A game-changer’

Czech Republic coach Santi Denia has offered a glowing assessment of Lamine Yamal ahead of his side’s Nations League meeting with Spain, drawing on his own experience of working with the Barcelona star at youth level.

Denia knows Yamal better than most opposition coaches, as he was involved when the winger was still a teenager coming through Spain’s youth system and remembers selecting him for the Under-19 side at just 14 and 15 years old.

Even then, Yamal was playing against opponents several years older.

Santi Denia remembers Yamal’s early brilliance

Denia recalled how Yamal immediately stood out despite the age gap. 

His ability to take risks and attack defenders with confidence was already producing reactions from supporters long before he became a senior international.

That early exposure has now developed into a player capable of deciding matches at the highest level. 

Yamal has started Spain’s games against England and Croatia during the current international break, scoring three goals and providing an assist.

With another fixture against the Czech Republic approaching, his workload has naturally become a talking point.

Denia offered a light-hearted response when asked whether Yamal should feature again.

“I think Lamine should rest; he’s already played two games in a row,” he joked, as per Cadena SER.

Czech Republic expect Yamal to feature

On a serious note, the Czech coach said that he was speaking with a smile rather than predicting Yamal’s omission.

“I think he’ll be in the squad.

“People come to watch the Spanish national team to see Lamine Yamal on the pitch.

“But for us, that’s not all that important; the whole match is a huge challenge for us, and we want to improve and also show how we play as a team.”

Lastly, the strongest praise came when Denia was asked about Yamal’s standing among the world’s leading players and the Ballon d’Or candidacy.

“I think he’s the Ballon d’Or winner, without a doubt. It doesn’t matter that he’s 19; he’s a game-changer, a World Cup winner,” he concluded.