France coach Didier Deschamps only needed one word to compare Spain’s Lamine Yamal to Kylian Mbappe

The 2024-25 season has been nothing short of stellar for 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. The Barcelona winger, who clinched the UEFA European Championship with Spain last year, went on to lift LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup with his club this term. He’s also made his mark in the Champions League, helping Barca reach the semifinals. Now, he stands on the cusp of capturing another championship as La Roja face Kylian Mbappe and Didier Deschamps‘ France in the 2025 UEFA Nations League semifinals.

Yamal’s achievements at such a young age have captivated the soccer world, including Deschamps, who will face him today. “Yamal is one of those extraordinary players,” the French manager reflected. The 2018 World Cup-winning coach went on to acknowledge Yamal’s exceptional talent: “Players like him only come around every once in a while. What he does game after game… and at his age!”

Deschamps didn’t hold back in expressing his admiration, drawing a parallel to none other than Mbappe with a single word: “Fuoriclasse,” an Italian term used to describe someone who is “out of the ordinary” or “exceptional” in a certain field, particularly in sports.

“Kylian was older when he was doing what Yamal is doing now at 18. They are the Fuoriclasse, as the Italians say. Exceptional players who leave their mark on soccer from a young age through their skill and play,” France‘s head coach added.

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid passes the ball under pressure from Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on May 11, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.

France seek European redemption

Almost a year has passed since France and Spain last clashed at the Allianz Arena in Munich during the Euro 2024 semifinals. France initially took the lead with a goal from Kolo Muani, but it was Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo who ultimately secured the victory for Spain, paving their way to a third European title.

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Spain vs France: Confirmed lineups for 2025 UEFA Nations League semifinals

On Thursday, the stage is set once again, this time at Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Benz Arena, with both teams eyeing a spot in the Nations League final against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, who beat Germany on Wednesday.

Apart from the comparisons with Mbappe, another intriguing storyline ahead of the Nations League semifinal is the potential Ballon d’Or decider between Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele Dembele. Needless to say, world soccer’s eyes will be on this exciting clash on Thursday.