Ex-Atletico Madrid star insists Lamine Yamal should get new girlfriend as Barcelona ace given advice on becoming more professional

Former Atletico Madrid star Paulo Futre has advised Barcelona's Lamine Yamal to find a girlfriend. He believes that finding a partner would make him a better footballer, as he would be able to focus more.

Speaking on Spanish television, Future said that he became a better footballer after meeting his partner, as he became more responsible. He wants Yamal to do the same and urged the Barcelona star to go out more after his recent breakup. He said (via GOAL):

"Lamine Yamal is young (18 years old), and it is important that he has a girlfriend. When I met the mother of my children, I started to be a professional footballer 100%. I didn't go out as much as I used to. From then on, I started to have weight in the Porto dressing room, because I was more responsible."

Yamal was dating Argentine pop star Nicki Nicole, but the couple broke up earlier this season. The Barcelona teenager spoke to Javi Hoyos on D Corazon and said:

"We are not together, but has not been because of any infidelity. We have simply separated and that’s it. Everything that is coming out has nothing to do with our relationship. I have not been unfaithful to him nor have I been with another person."

Lamine Yamal has been dealing an injury issue this season, but has still played 13 matches in La Liga this season, scoring six goals and assisting seven times.

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal cannot reach Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's level, says Louis Saha

Louis Saha has claimed that Lamine Yamal is unlikely to reach the level of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He believes that the two players were obsessed with football, not just for the quality. He told OLBG (via Fox Sports)

"Could Lamine Yamal one day overtake Lionel Messi? It would be good for him but I don't think so. I doubt that he can achieve that because I see Lamine Yamal’s quality as a player but I don't see an obsession where you really focus on your football that Cristiano Ronaldo also has." "These guys are absolutely insanely obsessed. Some distractions are already around Yamal, that's not good. I think you’ll find him dragged away from the game like Neymar, who has, for me, maybe better quality."

Lamine Yamal has been the key player for Barcelona under Hansi Flick, scoring nine goals and assisting 13 times as a 17-year-old in La Liga last season.

Edited by Sripad