All of Xavi's forwards at Barcelona scored in the international team doubleheader. Lewandowski scored a double against the Faroe Islands just as Ferran Torres scored against Cyprus, Raphinha beat Bolivia, João Félix closed the rout against Luxembourg, Gavi – used as a false left winger by the Terrassa player – opened the scoring against the Cypriots and Lamine Yamal scored against Georgia. Yes, Lamine Yamal, at 16 years old, has scored before with the senior team than with Barça and even with Barça Atlètic.
The visit of Betis will always be special for the young winger from Mataró, since on April 29, in the last Barça-Betis (4-0), he made his debut with the first team at just 15 years old. His presence was then anecdotal. At that time, Abde had just qualified with Osasuna for the Copa del Rey final and Barça had decided to take him back from his loan.
Not five months later, the teenager has started three of the four matches in this League and one with Spain. While Abde has been transferred to Betis, with whom he can make his debut this Saturday in Montjuïc.
“The thing about Lamine is curious – Xavi began his analysis on whether the youth player should rest – because three weeks ago you told me that I didn't dare to put him on and now that I don't have to put him on as much. You have to clarify. We are going to take care of him and pamper him but he has a good head, I don't see that there will be any problem. It will be important at the beginning or in the second half,” he said about the new Blaugrana diamond. Ferran Torres, who has not yet started, and Raphinha are waiting for their moment.
Sergi gave Abde (21) his interim debut in 2021 and Xavi gave him a lot of space in his first months, until Ferran Torres, Aubameyang and Adama arrived in January 2022. His growth at Osasuna last year did not go unnoticed by the coach. They valued the unpredictable style of the Moroccan winger and it was Xavi's first change against Getafe and Cádiz in the first two days of the League. He turned to him when both parties were stuck. “But he wanted to play all the starting games. And I can't guarantee that. I don't know if he's going to get it at Betis,” he gave him a challenge. The club has a buyback option for him in the next two summers.
“Ramón (Planes) told me: 'Come.' And I listened to him,” explains Abde about the intrastory of his signing for the green and white club. In fact, Planes was the person who signed him from Hércules to Barça. In Pellegrini's Betis, with seven other former Blaugrana in the squad, he can find his place.
Xavi, on the wing, will look for his fourth consecutive victory. Architect of the team's good performance and nominated for The Best, the coach reassured with his renewal. “It will be announced shortly, in a few days, without any doubt. I will never be a problem for the club. But I am very excited and the project is still valid. We have made a great squad,” Xavi highlighted. With Lamine Yamal and without Abde.
