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In an unique interview with Tuttosport, Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal shared his ideas on successful the distinguished Golden Boy 2024 award, becoming a member of the ranks with a few of soccer’s greatest stars.
The 17-year-old, who has turn out to be a sensation at Barça and the Spanish nationwide staff, spoke candidly about his achievements, his ambitions, and the gamers he believes will observe in his footsteps.
On his Golden Boy win
Successful the Golden Boy at such a younger age, Yamal expressed immense delight and gratitude.
“It’s a nice happiness, an honour,” he mentioned. “It is step one in the direction of an excellent profession that I hope to have.
“Though I do know effectively that particular person awards are the results of collective success, I wish to proceed performing effectively for Barcelona and Spain in order that I can accumulate extra trophies, each staff and particular person.
“In any case, successful the Golden Boy is a superb place to begin for a younger footballer. Each younger participant on this planet aspires to win it.”
Looking forward to subsequent yr’s Golden Boy award, Yamal expressed confidence in his teammate Pau Cubarsi to stroll away with the distinguished award.
Yamal backs Cubarsi for Golden Boy 2025. (Picture by Angel Martinez/Getty Pictures)
Regardless of being a defender – a place that has traditionally had fewer winners of the Golden Boy – Yamal believes Cubarsi has all of the qualities to make historical past.
“I’m satisfied that Cubarsi has all the pieces it takes to win the Golden Boy 2025, despite the fact that he’s a defender. He might turn out to be the second defender to win it,” mentioned the teenage winger.
“I practice with him daily, and his degree is unimaginable. I feel he’s already one of many strongest defenders in Europe, within the high 5.”
Reflecting on Barcelona’s profitable historical past in the case of the Golden Boy award – 4 winners in Lionel Messi, Pedri, Gavi, and himself, Yamal attributed this success to the membership’s famend youth system, La Masia, which has constantly produced top-tier expertise.
“Barcelona are traditionally recognized for having a incredible youth academy, the most effective on this planet. Simply have a look at those that performed within the latest Clasico in Madrid: Cubarsi, Fermin Lopez, Casado, Gavi, and myself,” he mentioned.
“The membership’s belief in younger gamers provides them confidence, and that’s the reason so many from the academy are on this listing.”
Future goals
Regardless of the private recognition, Yamal understands that success on the highest degree depends on staff achievements. He spoke about his subsequent particular person purpose – the Ballon d’Or, saying:
“If I win with Barcelona, particularly the Champions League, I’ll have a greater likelihood of aiming for the person trophy that crowns a participant’s profession: the Ballon d’Or.”
This yr, Yamal positioned eighth within the Ballon d’Or rankings, simply behind Lautaro Martinez, and forward of notable figures resembling Harry Kane and Toni Kroos.
“No participant wins particular person awards with out attaining one thing collectively with their staff. So by successful on the collective degree, I might be nearer to particular person awards, as a result of one factor is the consequence of the opposite,” he defined.
Lamine desires to win the Ballon d’Or. (Picture by Alex Caparros/Getty Pictures)
Looking forward to his profession, Yamal set bold targets for his future. By the age of 21, he hopes to have gained the World Cup with Spain, the Champions League, and not less than two extra league titles with Barcelona.
“By the age of 21, my purpose is to win the World Cup with Spain, the Champions League, and two extra league titles with Barcelona,” he mentioned.
When requested about essentially the most tough opponent he has confronted thus far, Yamal highlighted German left-back David Raum, whom he confronted within the quarter-final match on the UEFA Euro 2024
“Raum is a tricky, fierce defender. Within the Euros, within the quarter-finals in opposition to Germany, he was a tough rival to beat,” Yamal recalled.
Lastly, the La Masia gem shared an inspiring message for younger folks around the globe who dream of following in his footsteps.
“Work exhausting, don’t get discouraged, by no means quit. At all times combat and attempt as a result of that’s the solely approach to attain the highest. Suppose positively and revel in your self. In spite of everything, soccer remains to be a sport. However because the saying goes, ‘He who stops is misplaced’,” he concluded.
