Barcelona boss Xavi has said that he is wary of starting Lamine Yamal too much due to his age, with the attacker recently dropping out of the Catalan outfit's first XI.

The 16-year-old featured from the first whistle in three of Barcelona's opening four games of the 2023-24 La Liga campaign, but he has not started any of their last four fixtures in all competitions.

Yamal has still played in every game this term, though, contributing three assists in eight appearances, while he came Spain's youngest-ever player and goalscorer during the recent international break.

Raphinha and Ferran Torres have both started ahead of him on the right in recent games, while Joao Felix has become a starter following his loan arrival from Atletico Madrid.

Xavi has said that the teenager "needs to be protected" at this stage of his career for a number of reasons.

"He is 16 years old and sometimes it shows. You can't just play with the ball. You have to follow the full-back. That's why I think he needs to be protected," the Barcelona boss told reporters ahead of Friday's clash with Sevilla.

"He's doing very well. Naturally. The problem is the physical burden. He's a happy boy, We treat him like someone who is 16 years old, who is in training. We are very close to him. We see him well when he's in training.

"He's got the ability in one-on-one situations, you have to look for him. As with [Ousmane] Dembele, with [Lionel] Messi... we must get the ball to him. We have to make the most of it and give this type of player a boost."

Xavi was also asked whether Yamal's breakthrough reminds him of when Messi burst into the scene.

"They are good examples, [Frank] Rijkaard's management with Leo. He had injuries at the beginning. We have to be cautious with Lamine. He will help us," he added.

Yamal made his first-team debut for Barcelona against Real Betis in La Liga in April at the age of 15, which proved to be his only appearance of the 2022-23 campaign.

Xavi has seemingly confirmed that the attacker will be involved in some capacity against Sevilla on Friday.

"He'll be up against [Sergio] Ramos or [Jesus] Navas, competitive animals at 36," the head coach added.

Barcelona will enter the contest off the back of a 2-2 draw with Mallorca on Tuesday, and a victory for the home side would see them return to the top of the La Liga table. body check tags ::