Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal has lastly had the chance to get to know his “idol” Neymar as he holidays in Brazil throughout the low season.
In movies shared on social media, Yamal and Neymar might be seen taking part in footvolley, driving round in a golf buggy and stress-free by a swimming pool.
Neymar shared one clip of the duo on Friday, with Yamal commenting “My brother.”
Yamal, 17, has hung out in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro this week, the place he has additionally frolicked with browsing world champion Gabriel Medina.
After an exhausting season for membership and nation, which ended with Spain’s defeat to Portugal within the UEFA Nations League ultimate on June 8, Yamal now has the summer time off because of Barça’s failure to qualify for the Membership World Cup.
Former Barça ahead Neymar, who’s again in Brazil taking part in for boyhood membership Santos on the age of 33, additionally has some down time because of the Brasileiro pausing for the Membership World Cup.
Yamal was six years outdated when Neymar joined Barça from Santos and, whereas he charges Lionel Messi as the most effective ever, he has all the time mentioned that the Brazilian was the participant he most loved watching because of his fashion on the pitch.
“I used to be seven once I first noticed him play in particular person at Camp Nou and it was unbelievable to see him,” Yamal instructed CNN in an interview earlier this 12 months.
“It is true that Messi was there, who was additionally unbelievable, however Neymar was one thing completely totally different. He has all the time been my idol. He is a star, a soccer legend,” Yamal added.
In an interview with ESPN in April, he additionally spoke about rising up “carrying Neymar’s shirts,” with the Brazil worldwide ultimately leaving Barça for Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record €222 million ($255.8m) switch in 2017.
Yamal is having fun with some much-needed relaxation after an excellent season with Barça, which ended with the LaLiga title, a Copa del Rey trophy and success within the Spanish Supercopa.
He scored 18 objectives and supplied 25 assists in 55 appearances for his membership final season, propelling himself into the dialog to win the Ballon d’Or.
His performances have additionally seen him in comparison with each Messi and Neymar, with ex-Barça winger Gerard Deulofeu calling him a “fusion” of the 2, whereas his choice to dye his hair blond earlier than the Copa ultimate this 12 months was additionally mentioned to have been impressed by Neymar.