Getafe coach backs Barcelona superstar for Ballon d’Or: ‘Magnificent young player’

Getafe coach backs Barcelona superstar for Ballon d’Or: ‘Magnificent young player’ Barcelona picked up from where they left off before the international break, hardly breaking a sweat while securing a 3-0 victory over Getafe . Despite Hansi Flick making rotations and leaving the likes of Pau Cubarsi and Pedri on the bench, Barça’s performance levels hardly dropped. After the game, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo , Getafe manager Jose Bordalas was effusive in his praise for both Barcelona and their star winger, Lamine Yamal. Bordalas convinced Lamine can win Ballon d’Or Bordalas acknowledged Barcelona’s superiority while also backing Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d’Or. “We all know Lamine’s level. He’s fantastic. He’s very difficult to stop, even when you take precautions,” Bordalas said. “He’s excellent in one-on-one situations, finishing and passing. He’s a magnificent young player, and he shows the level he has.” Lamine Yamal is one of the best players in the world at the moment. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) The Getafe coach was equally confident about the winger’s future. “He will improve much more and can win the Ballon d’Or. I have no doubt.” Getafe coach frustrated by Barcelona defeat Bordalas admitted his team had struggled to compete with Barcelona’s intensity. “I’m angry about the result and because we didn’t compete as we should have. Despite facing FC Barcelona and playing at Camp Nou, I think my team wasn’t at the level we should have been today,” he explained. Anthony Gordon’s opening-minute goal immediately put Getafe under pressure. “We conceded in the first minute and shot ourselves in the foot. The second goal was also a gift, and the third was a marking error. We lost concentration, and against a team like Barcelona, the details matter,” he explained. Bordalas was careful not to take credit away from the Catalan club. “I don’t take anything away from Barça, but we didn’t start the match as we should have… I’m not happy at all. I’m not going to disguise it, we can’t hide. I’m a winner, and my team must be recognisable, and today it wasn’t,” he said. Cruyff’s legacy continues to impress Bordalas also praised Barcelona’s footballing identity when discussing Johan Cruyff. “We can’t compare, they are different eras and moments in football. Football evolves at a dizzying speed,” he said. “I was always an admirer of Johan, as a player and coach. He was my idol. Every era is different, and I’ve always said that Cruyff gave Barça their style, their own identity.” Hansi Flick’s team play a modified version of the Cruyff model at Barcelona. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images) “Barça seem to always play the same way. They’ve had all kinds of coaches, and they always have that idea and foundation of playing.” “Johan was the driving force and gave Barcelona the style that other coaches later took advantage of. That deserves great credit,” he concluded. Flick’s team play with a different intensity from Cruyff’s sides, but the emphasis on attacking football and identity remains unmistakable. Lamine is arguably the face of this new Flick project. His individual brilliance stands out, and he is already being spoken about in connection with awards like the Ballon d’Or. Bordalas is the latest in a long list of recognised names in the game to throw their weight behind the World Cup winner. There is not long left until the ceremony takes place in London, and it remains to be seen whether Lamine walks away with the trophy later this month.