Lamine Yamal talks Messi, Spain, Euros, World Cup, playing style, ambitions: ‘My goal isn’t to break all records…’Barca UniversalMon, December 1, 2025 at 9:45 AM UTC·7 min readLamine Yamal has not been at his very best this season as he continues to battle with pubalgia.
The chronic injury has kept him from being the same explosive player he was last year. Season, but he has not allowed it to affect his goal contributions much. In fact, he continues to be one of the team’s most decisive players on that front.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn just nine league starts this season, the youngster has racked up five goals and seven assists and is staring at a great season ahead. With the FIFA World Cup coming up, moreover, he will look to boost his return to complete fitness.
Yamal’s interview
In a recent interview on CBS’s ’60 Minutes’ (h/t AS), the Barcelona youngster opened up on a plethora of topics, but he most notably talked about comparisons with Lionel Messi and what it would be to play against him in the upcoming Finalissima.
“I think that Lionel Messi is the best footballer of all time, but he also knows that I’m a good player. There will be mutual respect if we play against each other.”
“He knows that I’m not trying to be him, to play like him, or wear the #10 like him. I want to be my own,” he added.
Speaking on how the Argentine was one of his role models, he said,
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“As a kid, I used to study Messi’s passes. Other players made good passes, but Messi’s passes were pretty much goals.”
“I always thought passing was more interesting than dribbling. They’re somewhat more clever,” he added.
He then surprisingly revealed that he was not a dribbler in his younger years.
“It’s weird, because as a kid I was never really a dribbler. I was more of a goalscorer and I ran a lot.”
On life as a superstar
The teenager was then asked how it felt to be so famous at such a young age, to which he stated that it was not easy.
“It’s hard to act like a normal 18-year-old. Even if I wanted to, I would never be able to. Any kid goes from school to home. For me, I go to training with photographers in front of my house and kids wearing my shirt on the street.”
A superstar at 18. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I would like to go eat at a restaurant like a normal person, but I can’t because people will always stop me. It’s normal because I’m famous. So I try to do simpler things, like visiting my mom, brother, or playing video games,” he added.
Yet, Yamal spoke on how proud he was that he brought joy back into the game for all across the globe.
“People have told me that they’ve started watching football again because of me. My mother watches all matches now.”
“People had stopped wearing football jerseys to school, now that trend is back. Even tourists, here in Barcelona, get the Barça jersey with the #10 at the back. It has made me realise things,” he added.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn his goals
The player was then asked about his expectations for his career, to which he replied that he did not keep any such preconceived ideas.
“I don’t have any expectations. I just think about playing, not setting expectations. I think expectations are ultimately bad; when you meet them, you might feel like there are no goals left, and when you don’t meet them, you might feel frustrated.”
“Playing football is the only thing that makes me forget everything else. I might have the biggest problem, but if I have a match, that’s the only thing I think about,” he added on how he enjoys the game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYamal has already broken plenty of records in his short career so far, but he revealed that he did not specifically aim for anything such.
“My goal isn’t to break all records, to score a million goals, to play a million matches. I’m an athlete who wants to enjoy himself. I hope kids want to be like me.”
“In the end, the goal is for people to enjoy and deliver a bit of a show in football,” he added.
Elaborating on the real reason he plays football, the player said it was to bring smiles to people’s faces.
“I would like to change people’s day. If someone is sad and watches my match, I want their mood to improve. I want them to go back home happier than they were.”
I would describe myself as a fun player. I think that’s the most appropriate word.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn his style as a player
The young star’s next question was about the type of player he would describe himself to be, to which he said,
“If I see three players in front of me, I take them on. I have a great sense of self-confidence, and that’s my playing style.”
“Even though they take the ball off of me, it happens. I would be a very different player if I stopped every time I saw two or three players.”
He then opened up on his favourite goals that he has scored so far, to which he said,
“I have 3/4 favourite goals in terms of importance, but if I had to choose one: I think in terms of importance and beauty, the goal against France in the Euros.”
Speaking about pressure and how he manages to handle the pressure of elite football at such a young age, the winger said,
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I can’t feel pressure when playing football. I just try to enjoy. I think that my friends and family have been through harder things than I just playing football.”
“Football is everything to me. It’s the first love of my life and it will remain so. It’s one of the sports where everyone is on an equal footing,” he added.
One of the best in the world. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
He then jovially hinted at how he would not like to be a defender facing off against him, and how being nutmegged is an embarrassment.
“If I were a defender, I wouldn’t like a player to keep nutmegging me. I’d tell him to calm down. My friends would make memes about me.”
On his family and support system
Yamal then began to speak about how what he faces on the field is not any pressure compared to what his parents have been through in their lives.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I don’t think I’ve ever felt pressure playing football. My parents faced real pressure as young parents. Managing family, work, being happy, and buying gifts… that’s real pressure for me.”
“My friends and family, we are all obsessed with football,” he added.
The number 10 then emphasised why he loves football and the equality it brings on the field.
“You could come from a rich or poor family, but inside the field you are equal.”
On his international career
The final phase of Yamal’s interview revolved around the Spanish national team and his decision to represent Spain over Morocco.
“I was thinking about playing with Morocco, but I always wanted to play the Euros. I also had more chances of winning the World Cup with Spain.”
“I will always carry love for Morocco. It’s my country too, but in the end I grew up in Spain and I also feel it’s my country,” he added.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe then remembered how he kept himself calm during the Euros for Spain and how he did not feel overwhelmed.
“During the Euros tournament, I never thought about the fact that I was 16 and participating in the tournament.”
“I told myself that you’re playing a tournament that you’ll enjoy a lot because it’s your dream, so enjoy it and don’t think about anything else.”
Finally, the player opened up on the upcoming FIFA World Cup and Spain’s chances.
“I’m arriving at the World Cup in my best moment. I think it’s been a long time since Spain has been a serious contender. I see the country is very excited, and I’m looking forward to it.”
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