Martínez Valero witnessed an unforgettable night on matchday 22 of LaLiga EA Sports. FC Barcelona clearly beat Elche 3-1 in a match that, although it ended with a visitor victory, left moments of great football and, above all, a statement that has gone around the world of football. After the final whistle, Franjiverde coach Eder Sarabia appeared at a press conference, visibly excited and released a phrase that few expected: “Since I became coach, I have never seen a player as talented as this one.”

The praise was not directed at Ferran López or Dani Olmo, two of the names that generate the most headlines in the current Barça. The protagonist was Lamine Yamal, the young 18-year-old winger who once again shone with his own light. Yamal abrió el marcador en el minuto 6 con un golazo de volea tras un centro medido, desequilibró constantemente por la banda derecha, generó peligro en cada acción individual y asistió a Marcus Rashford para el tercero que sentenció el partido en la recta final.

His display was such that even the rival coach, who knows Barça well from his time as assistant coach under Quique Setién, could not contain his admiration.

Sarabia, known for his intensity on the bench and his brave and purposeful style of play, analyzed the match with absolute honesty. “They have been better, there is no doubt. Barça is superior in many aspects, but anything can happen in a match. We compete, we create chances, we draw with Álvaro Rodríguez… but when that boy, Lamine, came on the scene, everything changed. His quality is from another planet. The way he dribbles, decides in small spaces, sees the pass… since I have been a coach I have not seen anything like his age in LaLiga.

It is a phenomenon.”

The Basque coach, who has coached teams with an offensive philosophy and who has always defended talent above all else, deepened his admiration: “Lamine not only has natural talent, he has maturity. At 18 he already understands the game like a veteran. He presses, goes back, assists, scores… he is complete. He reminds me of the great stars I saw up close at Barça, but with a freshness that impresses. Hansi Flick has a gem in his hands, and he knows it.”

The match itself was intense from the start. Yamal put Barça ahead very early, but Elche responded with determination and tied thanks to a header from Álvaro Rodríguez after a well-worked corner. The team from Elche stood up, pressed high and created danger, but Barça, with their individual and collective quality, ended up winning. Rashford, in his best version since he arrived at the club, closed the account with a goal after an assist from the young Yamal, who was named MVP of the match by LaLiga.

Sarabia’s press conference became a trending topic on social networks. Thousands of culés fans shared clips of the match along with the Elche coach’s quote, while on the franjiverde side many highlighted the sportsmanship and sincere recognition of their coach. “Sarabia saying that about Lamine is the best possible compliment,” wrote a user on

For Yamal, these words come at a key moment in his explosion. The youth player has already scored or assisted in several consecutive games: goal against Oviedo, double in the Champions League against Copenhagen and now this stellar performance in Elche. Flick, in his appearance, also praised him: “Lamine has the potential to reach another even higher level. He is growing by leaps and bounds.” But it was Sarabia’s praise, coming from a direct and knowledgeable rival, that generated the most impact.

Elche, despite the defeat, comes out reinforced in its identity. Sarabia insisted that “this match should not harm us.” “We have competed against the leader, we have proposed, we have scored… we continue along the line of courage. We must learn and continue growing.” The Elche team remains in the fight for permanence, with an attractive style that has surprised this season.

Mientras tanto, el Barça consolida su liderato en LaLiga y avanza con paso firme en todas las competiciones. The figure of Lamine Yamal is established as one of the great hopes of world football. And thanks to the emotional words of Eder Sarabia, the entire football world knows that we are dealing with a generational talent. A player who, at 18 years old, already makes rival coaches tremble and excite those who understand the game best.

Spanish football, once again, demonstrates why it is one of the most admired: because even in defeat, there is room for recognition of pure talent. Lamine Yamal, the name that no one expected… but that everyone already knew was going to go far.

Ultimately, the completion of this deal on deadline day serves as a reminder that football transfers are not always about spectacle. Sometimes, the most significant moves are those that quietly strengthen a team and provide new possibilities without altering its core values. For Inter Miami, the signing of an experienced Premier League striker represents such a moment—a calculated addition designed to support the team’s progress rather than redefine it overnight.

As the club looks ahead to the challenges of the coming months, the focus will remain on performance, cohesion, and development. The January transfer window has closed, but the real work now begins on the pitch, where expectations will be tested and ambitions measured through consistent effort and collective growth.