Lamine Yamal, Barcelona player
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
FC Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has no intention of putting a limit on his ambitions.
At just 19, the Barcelona forward is already one of the best in the world and has tasted huge success both with the club and the Spanish national team.
However, all the trophies he has collected has not diminished the teenage superstar’s hunger for more success.
Lamine’s hunger has not changed
In an interview with Jorge Valdano on ‘Universo Valdano’ (h/t SPORT), Lamine made it clear that his desire to win has only grown..
“People think that because I’ve won the World Cup, two La Liga titles and the Copa, I don’t want to win three World Cups and five Champions Leagues,” the Barcelona gem stated.
His ambition, he says, remains one of his defining characteristics.
“I can assure you that ambition is what I have most. The moment I won the World Cup, I already wanted to win another one. I live for and because of football, and the only way I can repay football is by always wanting to play and win.”
Lamine Yamal of Spain
Hungry for more. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Lamine also believes his rapid development gave him an advantage over other young players.
“There’s one thing I have going for me: I’ve gone through the maturing process very quickly. Young players, even when they have a lot of talent, find it difficult to adapt to the elite,” he noted.
“It makes me happy to know that in four years I’ll be much better. I think it will be difficult to find someone who is at my level.”
Messi and Neymar remain key influences
Lamine revealed that he continues to hold former Barcelona captain and club legend Lionel Messi in the highest regard, describing him as “the best player in history”.
He also revealed the importance another former Barça great, Neymar, had during his childhood.
“I always try to be happy, and Neymar was happiness. He was my whole childhood, watching videos of his goals and dribbles,” he described.
Reflecting on the World Cup
Despite playing a major role in Spain’s World Cup triumph this summer, Lamine admitted he finished the tournament feeling that he had more to give.
Lamine Yamal, Spain and Barcelona player
Lamine believes he could have done better at the World Cup. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“I wasn’t happy with myself because, for me, I could have done more. I helped the team, but I’m really looking forward to the next one,” he said.
“For another player, with my performance it would have been a great World Cup, but not for me.”
Lamine also recalled a conversation with former Spain teammate Alvaro Morata before their 2024 meeting with Brazil, when the Barcelona forward was only 16.
Morata took him aside before the match and delivered a message that stayed with him: “’I know you’re the best player in the world at the moment. You just need to have confidence in yourself and show it.’”
According to Lamine, those words changed his mindset.
“From that moment on, I understood that I could show it. That’s when everything started to go upwards.”
Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid star
Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid star