Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
In an interview with Barça One earlier in the present day, Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal mirrored on his 2024 – a 12 months that has already positioned him among the many finest gamers on the earth on the high of world soccer.
The 17-year-old La Masia graduate, who’s now the third most dear participant on the earth, has tasted loads of success personally whereas lifting the UEFA Euro 2024 with Spain. Reflecting on the profitable 12 months he has had, Lamine mentioned:
“This 12 months, the collective titles had been lacking at Barça, which is what excites me probably the most, however we are going to attempt to win the League, Cup, Champions, and every thing we are able to.”
Waiting for the speedy future in 2025, the Spanish worldwide set himself a person problem.
“I would like to attain extra targets. I’ve improved quite a bit in assists, so that’s my problem,” he mentioned.
Yamal’s help tally has grown significantly this season, thanks partially to the outside-of-the-boot curling passes that his teammate Raphinha most of the time will get on the tip of.
“Since I used to be a baby, I’ve made these passes. For me, it’s a higher choice than utilizing my proper foot, as a result of generally I have no idea the place the ball will go, to be sincere,” mentioned Lamine.
“It’s going properly for me. Raphinha’s actions are additionally essential. He’s a really quick participant, and I may give him that ball.”
Whereas scoring targets is his “problem,” Lamine already has one purpose for Barcelona that he holds pricey: the third of the 4 targets Barcelona scored in opposition to Actual Madrid within the October El Clasico on the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I used to be very proud of my purpose on the Bernabeu as a result of we had been main 0-2, and everybody is aware of that Madrid typically scores within the remaining minutes, so the 0-3 nearly sealed the sport. It was a Clasico watched by everybody, so scoring in that match was a dream.”
Yamal loved scoring on the Bernabeu. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)
The Barcelona sensation additionally shared his most well-liked fashion of play, explaining intimately: “When I’ve the ball on the wing, that’s when I’m 100% myself. There I can do no matter I need; there aren’t any guidelines, I’ve freedom of motion.”
Nonetheless, he clarified that “In the long run, once I drop to obtain within the center and defend, it is advisable play with one or two touches, not lose the ball, be teammate, and observe again to defend.”
The winger, who has seen probably the most progress of any participant on the earth, admitted that some matches stand out.
“Earlier than the sport, everybody is aware of if they’re mentally in it. You’re at all times motivated, however there are essential video games, like in opposition to Madrid, Atletico, or within the Champions League… the place you will have that further spark.”
Reflecting on his private growth, Lamine thought-about 2024 to be “a vital 12 months, one wherein I’ve gone from energy to energy. I’ve felt essential, each on the membership and within the nationwide crew, and I’ve gained loads of expertise.”
He added: “In your first 12 months as a starter, issues don’t at all times go completely, however what excites me most is successful collective titles, which is what I’ve missed at Barça.”
Lamine praised coach Hansi Flick for his help, stating that Flick offers loads of confidence to the gamers.
“Flick offers you good recommendation and confidence. Earlier than the lineup is introduced, he explains it to you. He is aware of find out how to say the fitting issues on the proper second,” mentioned {the teenager}.
Yamal is at the moment out with an ankle damage. (Picture by Alex Caparros/Getty Pictures)
“He at all times tells me to imagine in myself and that I’m essential for the crew. Having confidence and a little bit of selfishness is nice.”
The presence of many academy gamers within the squad brings one thing essential, which the teenager highlighted.
“Within the dressing room, there’s enjoyable, happiness, and power. Many people have been Barcelona followers since we had been little, and we come from La Masia. We all know how essential it’s to play for this badge. All of us give our greatest.”
Lamine, who missed the final match in opposition to Atletico Madrid and will likely be sidelined for a couple of extra video games as a consequence of a proper ankle damage sustained in opposition to Leganes, assured that he’ll return to the sector higher and stronger.
“I’m within the restoration course of, however I’ll come again stronger and extra keen. If you cease enjoying for some time, you realise how essential what you might be doing is,” he commented.
“It was not an issue from the opposite damage. It was simply unhealthy luck, a knock that brought on my ankle to twist, and that may occur to anybody,” he concluded.
