Atletico Madrid ace names Barcelona duo as players who surprised him the most in La Liga | OneFootball

It goes without saying that Pedri and Lamine Yamal have been among the best players across Europe throughout the ongoing season.

The Spanish duo have been the major driving force behind Barcelona’s excellent season that has brought them within reach of a historic treble.

Pedri has left his fitness issues in the rearview mirror and showcased his class and quality, dictating matches from the centre of the park.

Meanwhile, Lamine, at the tender age of 17, is already proving himself to be a world-beater, taking apart opposition defences on a weekly basis.

Julian Alvarez hails Pedri, Lamine

Now, speaking in an interview with AS, Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has hailed Pedri and Lamine Yamal as the two players in La Liga who have surprised him the most.

“Pedri. He’s a player I already knew but I was very surprised to see him play when we played against him. And Lamine too. At his age, he’s doing incredible things,” Alvarez stated.

Pedri and Lamine have made a big impression on Alvarez. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid faced off against each other as many as four times this season – twice in La Liga and twice in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. The Catalans won two and lost one with the other one ending in a draw.

Pedri scored in two of those matches and was generally exceptional in the matches, even in the 1-2 defeat in La Liga back in December, while Lamine also found the back of the net on one occasion.

Given their spectacular performances this season, both Pedri and Lamine are very much in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or, along with their Barcelona teammate Raphinha.

For now, though, they will be focused on leading the team past Inter Milan tonight and securing Barcelona’s place in the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in a decade.