Khaberni - The veteran Spanish star Dani Guiiza gave controversial and decisive advice to the rising talent Lamine Yamal, winger for FC Barcelona, regarding his life outside the pitch.
The Spanish newspaper "OK Diario" reported Guiiza's statements in which he called Yamal (18 years old) to distance his father from his football and personal affairs, expressing his concern about the father's influence on the player’s career.
Guiiza, who is still playing football professionally, said in his statement: "Lamine is very good, but his father needs to step back a bit for the benefit of the young man. He is very good and can be among the best, but those things that the father does, personally, I would not allow my father to do them."
Guiiza, who was part of Spain's golden generation, warned Yamal against allowing his father to control his professional life: "Do you want your father to be on top of you? No.. you are the one playing football."
The 45-year-old player expressed his fear that the pressures surrounding Yamal could hinder his exceptional talent, and although he praised his talent saying: "He can be one of the best players in the world," he emphasized his concern about other factors:
Family influence: "What worries me is the other thing (what the father does) and he may go through bad years then hit a stagnation."
The need for proper guidance: "You are very young, and you need to have people beside you who help you, not people who speak for you, I hope that doesn’t happen to him, but it can happen."
Media spotlight: Guiiza warned against the celebrity media (heart press), which can harm him, commenting on the surrounding pressures: "Between this and that it can be a ticking time bomb."
Guiiza's warning opens up the discussion about managing the lives of young and talented players outside the green rectangle, especially with the increasing media and personal pressures.
