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TL;DR
- Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s 17-year-old prodigy, expressed his desire to become a club legend and hopes to never leave the Catalan giants.
- The young winger played a crucial role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, becoming the youngest player to both play and score in the tournament’s history.
- Yamal acknowledges comparisons to Lionel Messi but aims to create his own legacy, stating he wants to be remembered for being himself.
- The teenager credits Barcelona’s youth academy for preparing him psychologically to handle his newfound fame and success.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has expressed his desire to become a Barcelona legend, stating that he hopes to never leave the club. The 17-year-old forward made these remarks during an interview on the popular Spanish television show ‘El Hormiguero’ on Antena 3.
Yamal, who made his Barcelona debut at the tender age of 15 in April 2023, has quickly become a key player for the Catalan giants. His rapid rise to prominence culminated in a stellar performance at Euro 2024, where he played a crucial role in Spain’s record fourth title victory. Notably, Yamal became the youngest player ever to both play and score in the European Championship.
When asked about his future aspirations, Yamal responded emphatically:
“I hope I never leave (Barcelona), I want to be a legend at Barca.”
The young winger’s exceptional talent has drawn comparisons to another La Masia graduate, Lionel Messi. However, Yamal remains grounded, acknowledging the weight of such comparisons while expressing his desire to forge his own identity:
“To be compared to the best in history is incredible and that means you’re doing something right but I try to be me and be remembered for myself. It will be very difficult to get to that (Messi’s career achievement), so I hope I will be remembered for being Lamine Yamal.”
Yamal also reflected on his experience at Euro 2024, describing it as a “dream” and noting the positive impact of Spain’s victory on the nation’s mood. He credited Barcelona’s youth academy for preparing him psychologically to handle his newfound fame:
“From a young age, at clubs like Barca they prepare you as psychologists. They have been preparing me since I was a child. I’m looking forward to the future.”
As Yamal continues to develop his skills and make his mark on the footballing world, his commitment to Barcelona and his ambition to become a club legend suggest an exciting future for both the player and the team.
News Source: France24
