At Atlético Madrid midfielder Álex Baena has openly expressed his admiration for Barcelona and their young star Lamine Yamal, saying that watching the Catalan club has become tied to seeing the winger on the pitch.
Baena, who previously admitted during his time at Villarreal that playing for Barcelona was “one of his biggest dreams,” spoke this time about his Ballon d’Or choices and did not hesitate to put Lamine Yamal at the top of his list.
“I am very clear about it. My top three are Lamine, Rodri, and Messi,” Baena said, before clarifying his view on the Barcelona star: “In the end, for me, Lamine is the best player in the world.”
The Atlético Madrid player also praised what Rodri has done with the Spanish national team, along with his appreciation for what Lionel Messi has achieved, before revealing that his admiration for Lamine goes beyond simply watching his matches for Barcelona.
“I saw him train a lot this summer. These are things you don’t see any teammate do,” Baena added, noting that watching the Spanish winger gives him the same feeling he had when following Messi.
“I think he is one of the few players I watch matches just for. That only happened to me with Messi, who I watched matches to see play, and the same thing happens with him,” the Spanish midfielder said.
Baena’s admiration for Lamine reached the point of admitting that he follows Barcelona specifically for him: “I watch Barcelona for him, and for several other reasons, but if he doesn’t play, it would be very difficult for me to watch them.”
Baena on Julián Álvarez’s improved state
Baena also spoke about his Atlético Madrid teammate Julián Álvarez, noting an improvement in his mental state after the difficult period he went through during the summer.
“I see him much better emotionally. In the end, it was a very difficult process he went through, especially on a personal level,” he said, confirming that Atlético players tried to support him throughout that period.
“We tried to help him as much as possible, and we always understand him,” he added, before revealing that the Argentine forward has gradually begun to regain his morale.
Baena concluded: “Now he is very well, and he is looking forward to the end of the year and helping us as much as possible. Every day he smiles more with his teammates, and in the end that is the most important thing.”