Lamine Yamal: "I am not afraid of being a substitute"

Saint Joan DespíLamine Yamal has been the public spokesperson for the dressing room at the Champions League debut this Wednesday, against Feyenoord, at the Camp Nou (6:45 PM, Movistar). The Blaugrana 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 doesn't depend on me. I'm not going to beg for anything. I'm very happy with the year I've had, I have many chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, but I'm not worried about that. I'm focused on Barça and the team".

Lamine Yamal's words contrast enormously with those that, only a day earlier, Kilian Mbappé had pronounced. “I have made a lot of history in the most important competition in the sport. I think it is a good year to win the Ballon d'Or”, said the Real Madrid striker, referring to the summer World Cup. The French attacker was the top scorer (10) of the competition defending the colors of a France that was eliminated in the semifinals by the Spain of Lamine Yamal and company. The Spanish side ended up overcoming Leo Messi's Argentina in the final. The star from Rosario is one of the other candidates to lift football's great individual distinction, which will be awarded on October 26th.

Lamine Yamal also addressed some grimaces he made at the beginning of the season, such as against Elche. "It depends on the day... On the day of the Elche match it was extremely hot, I was tired...", he excused himself. And he added 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 great mantra that follows him: being a substitute. "I'm not afraid of being a substitute. I'm not thinking about it right now, but I'm 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 garnet number 10 has also not said that he expects a more dangerous Real Madrid due to the fact that 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 answered, elegantly, allowing himself a jab at the refereeing establishment after José Mourinho complained this Monday about the performance of the officials in Friday's Betis-Madrid match.

He also valued the fact of being, for the first time, one of the five Barça captains. "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, concluded: "Of course I notice it, I am still a kid".