Lamine Yamal: "I am not afraid of being a substitute"
The blue and garnet star, convinced that Barça will win the Champions League
Saint John of DespíLamine Yamal has been the public spokesperson for the dressing room in the Champions League debut this Wednesday, against Feyenoord, at the Camp Nou (6:45 PM, Movistar). The Barcelona star has said that the Champions League is his great motivation because it is the only title that, at 19 years old, he has not yet won.
The winger from Rocafonda is convinced that, with the reinforcements, there is enough of a squad to lift the Champions League and, with a prudent speech, unlike on other occasions, he has elegantly dismissed the dispute over the Ballon d'Or. "It does not depend on me. I am very happy with the year I have had, I have many possibilities of winning the Ballon d'Or, but I am not worried about that. I am focused on Barça and the team".
Lamine Yamal also addressed some grimaces he made at the beginning of the season, such as against Elche. "It depends on the day... The day of the Elche match it was very hot, I was tired...", he excused himself. And he emphasized that he had "never" been so happy: "I have won the World Cup, I have had the vacation of my life... I am happier than ever".
The Catalan forward also wanted to put an end, at least publicly, to a major mantra that haunts him: being a substitute. "I am not afraid of being a substitute. I am not thinking about it right now, but I am not afraid. I have to be prepared in case one day I have to be a substitute. Which could be tomorrow or whenever the coach decides".
Lamine Yamal's captaincy
The blue and red number 10 has not said either that he expects a more dangerous Real Madrid because they have not won any of the major titles for two seasons. “It is their problem, but I see them very happy. You have to ask them. We are happy, with the team and the referees,” he replied, elegantly, allowing himself a jab regarding the refereeing staff after, this Monday, José Mourinho complained about the performance of the officials in the Betis-Madrid match on Friday.
He also valued the fact of being, for the first time, one of the five captains of Barça. "It is a great responsibility, but I have good role models: Raphinha is a great captain, I also have the examples of Eric, Pedri, Frenkie..."
Regarding the high pressure that Barça executes, Lamine was blunt: "If you don't run, you're dead. If you want to win you have to press and run. Sometimes I get distracted, but I do it too," he assessed. A mature speech from a star who, when asked about his physical changes at 19 years old, replied: "Of course I notice it, I'm still a kid".