Latest news with #footballtalent
CNA
14-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Teen sensations Yamal and Mastantuono need space to develop, says Trezeguet
ASUNCION :Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and River Plate's Franco Mastantuono are dazzling fans at just 17, but must be allowed to develop without excessive pressure to reach their potential, former France striker David Trezeguet said Wednesday. "Yamal is a pure, unique talent, a player who has proven to be different from the rest. He grew up in Barcelona's academy, where the 'Lionel Messi' identity is very present, so these kids copy that format," Trezeguet, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, told reporters. Mastantuono, River Plate's attacking midfielder who is making waves in Argentina, is "demonstrating all his qualities at a very young age," Trezeguet added. Yamal is the youngest player to debut and score for Spain. With Barcelona, he has already won the Spanish league, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. He also won the European Championship with Spain. Trezeguet, a former River Plate player, where Mastantuono made his debut in January last year, emphasised that both players "are great to watch" because of the way they play and the way they "express their talent". "They'll have time to perfect everything else. They're young. But I think it's important for football in general to have this type of player who serves as an example for the younger players." Juan Pablo Sorin, who played for both River Plate and Barcelona, said he would like to see both players continue their development. "I don't like comparisons, because I think it's like limiting the player who's emerging. It's the same thing that happened to Lamine and Leo (Messi)," the former Argentina defender told Reuters. "It's true that the position is similar, but I think the characteristics are different, and I think each player has their own potential, qualities, and areas for improvement," he added. Both Trezeguet and Sorin said River Plate fans should make the most of Mastantuono's time there as he would likely continue his career in Europe soon. The Argentine, who has been linked with Real Madrid, shone in River Plate's victory over Boca Juniors last month, scoring a free kick. "We have to let them complete all the stages. They have to play, have fun, and continue to show off their talent and their audacity. They have a lot of personality," Sorin said. "What really catches my attention about both of them is how effective they are with the number of balls they touch. They make most of them effective, and that's impressive for their age," he added.
Al Bawaba
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Al Bawaba
Iker Casillas visits Petra, scouts Jordanian talent in Football Challenge
ALBAWABA - On his second day in Jordan, Spanish goalie legend Iker Casillas traveled to the ancient city of Petra. Casillas traveled to Amman, the capital of Jordan, to take part in the "Iker Casillas Challenge," the fourth iteration of the IRIS Academy Challenge, which seeks to identify up-and-coming football talent in Jordan. Michel Salgado, a former Real Madrid teammate, is traveling with Casillas to Jordan. In an interactive sporting event that showcases promising Jordanian football skill, they will supervise the process of choosing the best team. As part of a sports program run by the IRIS Academy to choose the best athletes to represent the Kingdom in an international competition in Spain, Casillas and Salgado will supervise the last selection of young players from different governorates in Jordan on Tuesday, the 13th of this month. Former Pro Soccer Player Iker Casillas Instagram The academy is holding preliminary qualifiers with around 8,000 players born in the 2012, 2013, and 2014 age groups. Casillas and Salgado will keep a close eye on the 24 players who will be chosen for the final round. Jordan's reputation in sports and tourism is improved by the presence of international athletes like Casillas, according to Louai Shomali, director of the Aires Academy, who spoke to Roya Sport. Since its founding, the academy has been committed to identifying and developing football potential in every governorate, he said. "The current version of the program is an extension of previous successes, as the academy has been able to highlight many emerging players," Shomali continued, highlighting the project's significance in advancing Jordan as a destination for sports and tourism. Shomali expressed gratitude to all of the program's backers and emphasized the academy's dedication to keeping up its investment in young people and giving them chances to display their abilities in front of a global audience. One of the most well-known athletic models devoted to developing and showcasing the upcoming generation of young athletes is the Iker Casillas Challenge, which is being hosted this year amidst increased interest from the local and regional sports community.
