Barcelona's new director of football Deco has claimed that Lamine Yamal's breakthrough has "surprised" the club, but he paid tribute to the teenager's "different quality".

Yamal became the Catalan outfit's youngest-ever player when he debuted at the age of 15 years, nine months and 16 days old in La Liga in April.

The attacker's then became Spain's youngest-ever player and goalscorer during the Euro 2024 qualification match against Georgia last week, before starting Tuesday's 6-0 win over Cyprus.

Yamal has provided two assists in four La Liga appearances this season, meanwhile, and he produced a man-of-the-match performance against Villarreal at the end of August.

Deco has claimed that Barcelona have been "surprised" by the manner of his breakthrough, but the club's former midfielder lavished praise on the teenager.

"He is a player that has surprised us," Deco told reporters at a press conference. "Xavi has always said [about him] and that is why he handed him his debut last season.

"Lamine Yamal is a kid with his feet on the ground. He has a different quality [to others]; he can contribute different things.

"We are in a situation at the club where we have a lot of young players in the team playing important roles, but he's a boy of just 16, so we have to leave him to enjoy his football. We have to support him to ensure he keeps growing in the right manner."

Yamal is yet to sign a new deal, with his existing contract due to expire next June, but Barcelona are thought to be close to announcing fresh terms for the teenager.

There has also been speculation surrounding Alejandro Balde's future, with the teenage defender's contract due to expire next summer.

An advisor to Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed that both Yamal and Balde came close to leaving Camp Nou over the summer, but Deco has said that "there will be news in the coming weeks".

"The two renovations are underway. There will be news in the coming weeks," he added.

Yamal and Balde are regarded as key players for Barcelona both now and in the future, and new deals for the pair will seemingly soon be announced.

Deco has also suggested that the club's head coach Xavi will pen a fresh deal in the near future, with the 43-year-old's existing terms due to expire next June. body check tags ::