Marcus Rashford's signing has shaken Barça's locker room even before his official presentation. However, there is a voice that has surprised everyone with its clarity and unexpected leadership. It is Lamine Yamal, who at just 18 years old has given a firm response to the new scenario.
Far from appearing uneasy or upset about the Englishman's arrival, Lamine has conveyed a completely positive stance. He has made it clear that he doesn't miss Nico Williams, whose signing seemed certain weeks ago. For him, Barça hasn't lost anything and has gained a great deal with this addition.
Internal club sources confirm that Yamal has welcomed Rashford's arrival to the first team with enthusiasm. He considers it an elite signing that brings an immediate leap in quality. Those close to him say the young man sees him at the level of any top European star.
No jealousy nor fear of losing prominence
Lamine knows that in top-level soccer, competition is constant, and he celebrates it as an extra motivation. His only obsession is to win titles, and for that, he needs teammates capable of keeping the level in every match. At no time has he seen Rashford's arrival as a threat to his growth.
On the contrary: he believes that sharing a locker room with a player of that caliber can accelerate his personal development. In private, he has said, "To be the best, you have to train with the best every day." That mentality has convinced even the veterans, who are starting to see in him more than just a gem.
Lamine doesn't want to repeat mistakes from previous seasons, when the team wore out during the key months. That's why he especially values the arrival of someone who can take on minutes without his absence being noticed. He knows that pacing himself will be key if he wants to reach March in full physical and mental shape.
The importance of March
The coaching staff have insisted that the season will be decided in the last ten weeks of competition. Lamine has taken that to heart: he is targeting that stretch as his big moment of the year. For that, he needs to rotate, rest... and keep being decisive when it's his turn to step up.
Rashford fits perfectly into that plan, because he can cover several positions without breaking the balance of the starting eleven. He can play on the left, as a center forward, or even as a second striker with offensive freedom. Flick considers him an essential profile in such a packed schedule.
In addition, Lamine trusts that Real Madrid won't reach the final stretch of the season as fresh. He believes that the Club World Cup, injuries, and overexertion could take a toll on Los Blancos. That's why Barça needs to arrive at their peak, both physically and mentally.
New partnership on the horizon
The young winger not only accepts Rashford's arrival, but also imagines forming a lethal duo with him. In his mind, he already envisions plays, connections, and impossible combinations between both profiles. The idea doesn't just motivate him... it excites him.
He believes Marcus can free him from marking, pin down defenders, and open up spaces that he'll exploit mercilessly. The excitement is at its highest, both inside and outside the locker room, where several veterans have blessed the new partnership. The best part is that it's only just beginning to take shape.
There are types of leadership that are earned with time, experience, and armbands. Others, like Lamine's, are born naturally. His reaction to Rashford's arrival proves it: Barça has a star... it also has a voice.
