Former Barcelona director Ramon Planes has sent a clear message to young star Lamine Yamal, urging him to stay grounded despite the growing hype around his name, especially talks of him winning the Ballon d’Or this year.

Planes, who once played a key role behind the scenes at Barça, believes the 17-year-old still has a long way to go before being crowned the world’s best. He stressed that while Yamal’s rise has been remarkable, fans and the media need to be careful not to pile unnecessary pressure on him.

“There’s no doubt about his talent, but the real challenge is staying at that level for years,” Planes told Mundo Deportivo, as shared by Barca Universal. “We have to protect him and let him grow at his own pace. If he keeps performing like this for seasons to come, then we can start talking about awards like the Ballon d’Or. But right now, patience is key.”

Yamal has been making headlines with his incredible performances for both Spain and Barcelona. The teenager played a huge role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph and also helped Barça secure four trophies last season, including the LaLiga title, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de Espana.

Since breaking into Barcelona’s senior team under Xavi Hernandez in April 2023 at just 15 years old, Yamal has consistently proven himself as one of football’s brightest young prospects. Last season, he racked up 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches across all competitions, leaving many convinced he deserves to be recognised among the best in the world.

But Planes insists it’s still early days for the young forward, and the football world must give him time to develop without overwhelming expectations.