♪Yamal: 'I feel so much better than what people think *

America's reply to the Spanish newspaper El Pais, Lamine Yamal says he worships street football, undaunted displays of his character, believing that many young players today are too stereotyped and the future will kick in the middle like Lionel Messi.

"President and confident", is what the newspaper El Pais described at the conversation was posted on June 21, with 18-year-old talent at the Spanish team's capital at the 2026 World Cup. "He owns the stage, nothing else on the stage. Yamal the monster, likes to challenge but is also intelligent and decisive. You don't care much if you're labeled arrogant, maybe even interested. He spent a few seconds thinking ahead of each answer, at the time deep down, at the time he had a very instincty outburst, but always kept nature and proximity. You don't hide from the past, you don't hide the future, at least the way you envision it."

Get out! [](htttms ://vcdn1-thethano.vnecdn.net/2026/06/22/75565ac18-af0e-4b89-ac69-c937880-8848-178623149.png?w=0&h=0&&q=100&dpt=1&ft=crop&s=7H3zEWEEIBTRTRT7brqucccg)

*Lamine Yamal took pictures in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Paiss at the MohammadQG Business at Baylor College, Chattanov, Tennessee, American January 21, 2026. Image: El Pais

-* What was your first memory of the World Cup? *

• It was 2014. At the time my mother was at work and ran home in the second round of the Colombia game meeting Kazakhstan, the match that James Rodriguez set up as a super. I just got back, you two, we're gonna watch the game. Now, you're here with me. She cried when I had my debut. I told my mother, "Life changes fast, Mom..." My first World Cup memory was to be with my mother, and now the two of us are to experience the tournament in incredible ways. I used to dream about this, but I never thought it would come so soon.

• • Looking back, how does your parents' sacrifice affect you on the road to success today? *

• What my parents did for me, I don't think I can do for anyone else, unless it's my children. I realized that such a great sacrifice existed only among parents. If you think about it, if the family is not in a position to play soccer, it's a problem. If there is no money, it is difficult to give the child a gift on the King’s Day (the holiday of children's gifts in Spain). When you're poor, life gets tough. But my parents managed to take care of me. I get football, I get presents on holidays. I knew that I would never repay my parents for their upbringing.

*-How do you adapt to that fast change, from a poor, needy life to a luxury world? *

• I think there are two ways of looking at life. There are people who live a normal life and get rich, who will enjoy it slowly. And I'm kind of the kind of guy who thinks life is to enjoy it right now. I see people thinking too much, that what happens if I do this, if I meet the other person, if the relationship breaks, or if I buy this stuff and then get bored? I think for myself, when I get older, I can't spend all my money. I will then leave my children an estate and at the same time enjoy my own life. Because life is about living.

*-What's your definition of enjoying your life? *

• Everything I wanted to do when I was a kid without conditions, now I'm gonna do it all, and I'm not afraid to be overly told. Because that's what I work for and earn. I used to have nothing, and everything I had today was changed with sweat on the field. Nobody gives me anything, I don't inherit from anybody. So I have the right to decide my life. To me, that's the rule of life, that you take things for yourself, you have the right to do whatever you want with it. True, you still need advice from people, like, "You're not going to do it here", and I'm always going to respect that.

• • You said you had to grow up early? *

• Everyone has their problems. Everyone: you, me, or anyone else who's reading this interview. But there are things that are normal with a child, and there are things that aren't. I had to live on my own early on, leaving my parents. When you were a kid, there were times when you wanted something but couldn't get it. So you learn to accept reality and to appreciate all your efforts from your parents. Seeing my mother struggling, trying to make me happy... all of which forced me to grow before my age. As a result, at the age of 18, I was able to walk into a dressing room full of rice brothers without being looked like a child.

Get out! [](htttms https://vdn1-thethano.vnecdn.net/2026/06/22/Lamine-Yamal-y-su-madre-Sheila-8196-9038-178292902.png?w=0&h=0&q=100&dpt=1&ft=c&s=vUsYYYYYYYYYYTTTTZKKKKKTNGQ)

Yamal and Sheila's mother attended the 2025 Golden Ball Award.

*-Is the cost of fame the loss of a normal life? *

• Many times I've been out eating with a girlfriend or a mother, and people come and say, "Can I get a picture?" I was sitting comfortably in a sidewalk cafe and just thinking, "Maybe this isn't the right time." It is not understood the value of being free to go out for a drink or to go to the movies peacefully. We didn't get that. Sometimes I'd give a lot of what I have in exchange for the freedom of a normal person. Anyone can go to the heart of Barcelona and buy clothes, have a drink, and then take the car home. I'm not. So, there were times when, like now in the United States -- where very few people recognized me – I tried to enjoy it completely.

*- Do you remember the moment when you realized you were a celebrity, that everything had completely changed? *

• Yes. I was 13 years old, like all the other kids, and I wanted to go out for a walk. I went to the park with my friends and a kid recognized me. It all started there: "Hey, Barca's boy, they say he kicks well".

*- Talk a little about your ego! *

• I think there are two concepts, ego and confidence. Both important. At some point, having a little self-interest is necessary, I don't think that's a bad thing. But the most important thing is to have absolute faith in yourself. People often co-operate confidence with pride. In this football environment, if you don't have confidence, you're going to be buried. Actually, a little ego would be nice. It's interesting to have a little joke.

*-Did you prepare for the famous statement "No one's in a position to say anything to me as long as I win?" *

• No, it just happened. I know when I say something like that, when I go home and I crawl to my bed and watch people talk, it's funny. I like that feeling, I don't care. I think that's football. I liked that old football thing, around 2010, the time of the games El Clasico lit up between Barca and Real Madrid. It's important to believe in yourself, or you'll be sunk.

*-So what's the boundary to not turning confidence into fantasy? *

• Obviously, if I declare that I'm going to score six goals this Sunday, which I know I can't, that's the problem. But if I told you I'd play good on Sunday, I knew I had the ability to do it. Simply understand your limitations, that's all.

• • Did you ever hesitate, doubt yourself? *

• Never! I find myself much better than what people see. I know the road ahead is long and I have a lot of work to do. I knew people would think, "Well, that's all this guy's level is." But I can use my confidence to do things. I say again, I've got a long way to go, a lot to upgrade. And there's a lot of, a lot of football horizons ahead. I'm only 18.

Get out! [](htttms ://vcdn1-thethano.vnecdn.net/2026/06/22/3a96c7f-757a-4ac0-929a-cb19d9-7453-7334-178206350.png?w=0&h=0&q=100&dpt=1&fit=1&frop&s=Y9sc5 wdbbbNUDDDEW)

Lamine Yamal in the Spanish match of Cape Verde in the 2026 World Cup ring on Mercedes-Benz Field, Atlanta, USA June 15, 2026. Image: El Pais

*-his play is the intersection between street football and the academy. Is that the perfect recipe? *

• I think so. The problem I see in young players is that at the age of four has been registered to academics. There, they were taught the pattern: "Come on, the borderback guard must control the ball and pass it to the front wing, or the front wing must receive the ball and trim for the quarterback. All must be the same defense, all must attack together, everyone must touch the ball".

And when I played street football in the old days, the team that scored two goals won, the other team out. That's why he forges for himself the wisdom, and the sense of ecstasy. I'm craving the sense that the audience actually gets "high" when watching football. I used to watch a lot of football, and now it's rare, because to watch a game, I need players like Neymar, Isco, Bennema, Vinicius, or Cherki... the players that make you happy to watch them play. Not necessarily a Ronaldinho-style Samba dancer. I've never seen Henry kick it in person, but the video's already crazy.

*-On the pitch, do you imagine a pitch, a pitch beat, or a short-lived act of inspiration? *

• I wasn't thinking about it before. But now I do know how my opponent will fight against me. I mean, I knew I'd have to face three rear guards.

*-Three?

• At least three, always. With luck, two. One-on-one, never, never will. So I'm starting to do the math, and I'm going to tell my teammates' back guard, "If I pass the ball, you're going to have to run the place." The coach also told me, "If they surround you with three men, that means there are three of your teammates empty". The solution was clear then to the second route, but the whole thing that went through the body was improvised. That's not expected. Impossible!

*- Didn't you practice ahead of a few performance techniques or a random move? *

• It's the disease of the modern-day players, they keep trying to get back and forth and back on the island with the ball. But those things have to appear on their own when the situation comes. It comes out by the rhythm. Having been a stereotype, it never gives you a sense of nature. There are things in football that can't be memorized.

*-How would you rate the current World Cup? *

• Of course I was watching. And I came to a conclusion.

• • What conclusion? *

• It's that the media is always rushing to conclusions. I remember after the first game, when Spain had a point, Portugal had a point, Argentina won 3-0, France won 3-1. So you thought the final was going to be in Argentina? I really don't get it. Instead of enjoying the games, people wanted to make quick conclusions. Spain was now considered bad. But everyone who knows football knows it's not.

Get out! [](htttms https://vcdn1-thethano.vnecdn.net/2026/22/2022/26-06-22-22-0213-1-4955-9971-178092903.png?w=0&h=0&qqqqqqqqqN100&dr=ct=crop&s=96-mrljMymljMyuZyEEEEEEEEEEEE

Lamine Yamal celebrates the Spanish victory over Arab Saudis in the 2026 World Cup round on Mercedes-Benz pitch, Atlanta, US June 21, 2026. Image: El Pais

*-So what's your conclusion? *

• It's time to wait until the 19th of July before everyone knows who the champion is, and everybody wants to know right now.

*-do you feel like you're gonna play ball till 40 like Lionel Messi? *

• No way! Impossible! Impossible! It's a good thing to be old enough, but maintaining that level is extremely, extremely hard. Not to mention you've got to keep the fire burning. For me, Messi is the greatest player and still proves it. He was at a completely different level than the rest, though he was nearly 40.

• • Do you think you're gonna move into stone in the middle? *

• I remember Messi was always with three people. And the only position that the opponent can't cut three people close to you is in the middle, because there are a lot of people and the gaps are constantly changing. Over time, I thought I'd drift in, because in the border corridor, it was easy for the opponent to set up three people to lock me up, but in the middle, they couldn't do that.

• • So fans won't be able to see your side-side swings anymore? *

• I can still go to a first-rounder. I'd be a much higher and dangerous player if I turned the compa in the middle instead of the border. Apparently right now, my kicking wings would be better for the team's tactical system. But when the time comes, I become more explosive in the center. And I will end my career in that position.

Sculpter

90.583 vote

Which team do you think will win the 2026 World Cup?

Argentina 18% 15.988 votes.

French 17% 14.990 votes

Spain 14% 12,7171 votes

Portuguese 12% 10.915 votes

German 6% 5.583 votes

Brazil 14% 12.451 votes

14% 12.590 votes

Another 6% team. 5.295 votes

Time: 8/5/2026 - 22/6/2026

**January (in El Pais)

The Games - World Cup Result 2026

Thursday, June 18, 2026 Table A [CH Czech] :[](htttms iTunes.vnecdn.net/opms/teams/707.png)

1 / 1 Round One: 1-0

South Africa ] [httttttt;httts/httt; itt; itt; i.e. Finish

Friday, June 19, 2026 Table B [Translator] :[](htttms iTunes.vnecdn.net/opms/teams/15.png)

4 - 1 Round One: 0-0.

Bosnia & Herz. :[](httttpts itt iiis.vnecdn.net/opms/teams//1113.png)][htttts ://nnnis.net/the-thatoo/world-cup-2026/tran-danu-dau/shuy-si-bosnia-&-herz.) Finish

Table B [Canada] :[](htttms iTunes.vnecdn.net/opms/teams/5529.png)

6 - 0 Round One: 3-0

Qatar Finish

Table A [Marie] :[](htttms https://www.vnecdn.net/ophotos/teams/16.png)

1 - 0 Round One: 0-0.

South Korea Finish

Saturday, June 20, 2026 Table D [American] :[](htttms https://www.vnecdn.net/opms/teams/2384.png)

2 - 0 Round One: 2-0

Australia : Finish

Table C [Scotland] 

0 - 1 Round One: 0-1

Morocco ‹[](httttpts https://www.vnecdn.net/oapts/teams/31.png)]] (htttpts www.vs/vtonecis.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/1489390/scotland-mico) Finish

Table C [Brazil 

3 - 0 Round One: 3-0

Haiti :[](httttpts itt iiis.vnecdn.net/opms/teams/2386.png)]][httpts ://nvenxexpress.net/the-thatoo/world-cupl-2026/tran-danu/489389/brazi-hati) Finish

Table D [Transian] :[](htttms ://nis.vnecdn.net/oviers/teams/777.png)

0 - 1 Round One: 0-1

Kerry Finish

Sunday, June 21, 2026 Table F [Philland] :[](htttms https://www.vnecdn.net/ophotos/teams/1118.png)

5 - 1 Round One: 2-0

Sweden Finish

Table E [German] 

2 - 1 Round One: 0-1

Coast of Cannes ]][httpts ://nnnis.net/the-thano/world-cup-2026/tran-daran-dau/4893/duc-bo-bien-nga) Finish

Table E [Ecuador :[](htttpts https://www.vnecdn.net/opms/teams/2382.png)

0 - 0 Round One: 0-0.

Curaçao :]][htttmlspts/htsvvnvnvvvts/vnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvnvn)))---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- )))))) ))------)))) Finish

Table F [Tuniya] :[](htttms it iiis.vnecdn.net/opms/teams/28.png)

0 - 4 Round One: 0-2.

Japan ‹ Finish

Table H [Spain] :[](htttms https://www.vnecdn.net/ophotos/teams/9.png)

4 - 0 Round One: 3-0

Saudi Arabia ‹[](htttpts https://www.vnecdn.net/oapts/teams/23.png)]] (htttpts ://nvenexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-daran-dau/489397/hand-ban-sadi-arabia) Finish

Monday, June 22, 2026 Table G [ Whistle ] :[](htttms ://n.vnecdn.net/opms/teams/1.png)

0 - 0 Round One: 0-0.

Iran ‹[](htttptpts https://www.vnecdn.net/octms/teams/22.png)]][httpts/httts/vttts/htttts/tttmms/22.png]]]][httptsptsts/vnvenexpress.net/the-thao/world/cco-2026/ccol/tran/dran-dau/489395/bi-iran] Finish

Table H [Uruguay] 

2 - 2 Round One: 2-1

Cape Verde ]][htttspts/htttts/httttmlves//htttttmlgm/uguey-cape-e] Finish

Table G [New Zealand] :[](httttms https://www.vnecdn.net/oviots/teams/4673.png)

1 / 1 Round One: 1-0

Egypt ]][httpts ://nves/vtals/ttones.htttpms/32.png]]][httptts/nvenvenxexpress.net/the-thao/world/world-ccolate-2026/tran/dran-daran-dau/89396/new-zealand-ai-cap) Finish

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Table J [Argentina :[](htttms iTunes.vnecdn.net/opms/teams/26.png)

2 - 0 Round One: 1-0

Austria :[](httttptspt ipts.vnecdn.net/opms/teams/775.png)]][httpts ://nnnis.net/the-thano/world-cup-2026/tran-dau/4893/argenina-ao] Finish

Table I [Archor] :[](htttms iTunes.vnecdn.net/opms/teams/2.png)

3 - 0 Round One: 1-0

Iraq Finish

Table I [Naly]

3 - 2 Round One: 1-0

Senegal Finish

Table J [Jordan] :[](htttms https://www.vnecdn.net/os/teams/1548.png)

1 / 1 Round One: 1-0

Algeria Finish

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 K Table [The Portuguese ] :[](htttms https://www.vnecdn.net/ophotos/teams/27.png)

5 - 0 Round One: 3-0

Kuwait ]][htttms/httptsvnvnvnvvvnvnvnvn.net/the-thao/world/ctran-2026/tran/daran/daran/4404/bo-n-hn-n-nbekikistan) Finish

L Board [I] 

0 - 0 Round One: 0-0.

Ghana ]] (httts ://nvenxexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/tran-daman-u/148/1802/m-gana) Finish

L Board [Panama] :[](htttms it iiis.vnecdn.net/opms/teams/11.png)

0 - 1 Round One: 0-0.

Croatia :[](htttptptst ipts.vnecdn.net/opms//teams///3.png)][htttpts/httts/htpxnexpress.net/the-thao/world/ccox-2026/tran-dou/dau//1803/panama-croatia) Finish

K Table [Colombia] :[](htttms https://www.vnecdn.net/ophotos/teams/8.png)

22 : 00

CHDC Congo

[Projects] (htts ://nvnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cupco-2026/tran-dau/539008/colombia-chdc-congo)

[Sees all] (httts ://nvenexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/lich-ti-dau)

[1][citational head of Spain]: 'The greatest mistake is to compare Yamal to someone'](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlHAQABAAACH5BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAACAACEAEAEAEAEAEAEEAEAAAAAAAEAAEAEAAEAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEAAEAAEAAAAAAAAAEEAAEAEEAEAAAAEEAAAAAEEAAAAAAAAAAAEEEAAAAAEEEAEAAEEEEAEAEAAEAEAEAEAEAAEAEAEAAAEAAAEAEEEEAEAEAEAEEEAEAEAEAAEEA

#[The Spanish chief: 'Sal the biggest mistake is to compare Yamal to someone'] (httts ://nvvexpress.net/hlv-truong-truong-salt-salt-lan-sot-sa-sa-gall-ai-do-do 5088113.html)

[NAS Spanish team Luis de la Fuente doesn't want to compare Lamine Yamal with Lionel Messi or Diego Maradona, and judge him as genius in his own way.][htttpts ://nvnexpress.net/hlv-truong-truong-sal-salam-mil-sot-shove-vo-vo-do-do/g88113.html] [21][htttshsnvexpress.net/hlv-truong-truong-tal-tal-salt-salt-lant-song-song-shan-salt-salt-sala-song-song-song-tal-song-song-song-Ail-voi-do-do-do-508811133.hpml/box comment vne)

[! [Yamal: 'Messi is best at history'](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlAQAAAAACH5BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAAAAAAACAAAAAACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACACTATATATATATATATAEEEEAEEAEAEAEEAEEAEEAEEEEEAEEEAEAEEEAEAEEEEEAEAEAEAEEEAEAEAEEAEAEEEEEEEEEAEEEAEEAEEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEA EAEEEEEEAEEEEAEEAEAEEAEEE

[Yamal: 'Messi is the best in history'] (htpts ://nvnexpress.net/yamal-messi-ro-gi-gigit-lich-su 5087962.)

[President Lamine Yamal claims Lionel Messi is the greatest football player in history, after seeing the Argentina star set hat-trick at the Battle of the 2026 World Cup.][citation needed][citation needed] [194](htttttsnvexpress.net/yamal-messi-ro-rang-git-nit-lich-su 5087962.h##box comment vne)

[! [Yamal coverage at New York](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQAABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACACTATATATATAEEEAEAAAAAAAAAAAAEEAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEAEAAAAAEAEEAAEEAEAAAAEEEEEAEAAEAEEEEAAEAEAEEEAAAAAEAEAEAEAEAAEEAEAEEEEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEEAEEAEEEAEAEEEEAEEEEEA

#[Yamal airing at New York][httt][httt] https://www.vnvvexpress.net/yamal-hal-hang-tai-new-york-york-5085479.html]

[The 18-year-old Spanish religion appears simultaneously on three giant ad screens at Times Square (New York), when two Adidas and American Eagle Groups also select him as a representative face for the global campaigns.][htt] http://www.vvvexpress.net/yamal-hal-new-york-york (5085479) [4](httttshtsnvexpress.net/yamal-hal-ht-ta-new-york-5085479.htm#box comment vne)

[! [Yamal: 'I didn't win the Golden Ball 2025 is good again'](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQAAAAACH5BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAACEAEAEAEAEEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEEAEEEAEAEEAEAEAEAEAEEEAEAAAEAEAEEAEAEAEAEEAEAEEEAEAEEEEEEEEAEAEEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEEAEAEEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEEEAEEEEAEEAEEEAEAEAEAEEEEA

[Yamal: 'I don't win the Golden Ball 2025' it's a good thing'" (httt;htt;htsvvvvvs.net/yamal-toi-kong-hong-qua-vang-2025-lai-la-la-chám-cht-tot-tot-tot-go.html

[Reporting fan questions on the personal YouTube channel, the Lamine Yamal proselytising about second-guessing in the 2025 Golden Balls election, as well as many topics associated with private life.][h][citation needed]net/yamal-tol-tong-hong-hang-2025-lai-chál-chám-to-to-to-to-go/gml.html/hml/hml/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/ht/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/h/h////h////h/h//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// [53] (htttts ://nvexpress.net/yamal-toi-kong-hong-qua-vang-2025-lai-la-la-chür-tot-50364.html#box comment vne)