FC Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has given his first public interview.
FC Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal has given his first public interview as a professional following an MVP performance in Sunday’s 4-3 comeback win over Villarreal.
“I’m not scared,” the 16-year-old declared, after creating two goals in the seven-strike thriller. “I go out and play football”.
At the expense of Ferran Torres, Yamal was again given the starting nod by head coach Xavi Hernandez for the second game running.
In just 12 minutes at the Estadio de la Ceramico, he provided an assist for Gavi to open the scoring before later hitting the post twice.
Robert Lewandowski tapped home the rebound from the last of those two efforts, which handed Barca a 4-3 victory when all was said and done.
After being declared the fixture’s MVP, Yamal gave his first public interview as a professional to local broadcaster Movistar.
Understandably shy given his age and lack of experience in front of the camera, Yamal explained why he is the polar opposite on the field where he runs at men double his age at will.
“I try to take advantage of every opportunity,” Yamal said.
“This is precisely what Xavi asks young people, to not be afraid,” he added, when asked about his confidence with the ball.
“Luckily I’m not scared. I go out and I play football which is what I’m good at.
“My mother is a little scared when I’m a starter but she supports me a lot,” concluded the teen sensation from the dormitory town of Mataro, who has been on Barca’s books since the age of seven.
Through impressive back-to-back displays, Yamal is tipped to start next Sunday’s meeting with Osasuna ahead of Raphinha – who will return from a suspension – and Ferran who has scored twice in his last two cameos.
“He doesn’t start at the whim of the coach. We see him capable of making a difference,” Xavi explained, in a press conference that followed the Blaugrana’s latest victory.
“The most important thing in a football player is that the decision making is almost always right. With Lamine Yamal, the decision he makes is almost always correct and good.
“Many times it’s the best at 16 years old,” the coach beamed about his teenage charge.