No one celebrated Spain’s advance to the last 32 quite like Keyne, Lamine Yamal’s younger brother. As the third goal against Austria found the net, cameras captured the three-year-old joyfully raising his arms and shouting, “It makes me emotional to see my brother happy, and my mum. He is everything to me. It’s like he is my son and I’m in love with him.” This moment sparked a wave of memes in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, 30 meters below the surface at the Los Angeles Stadium, which had to be constructed underground due to its proximity to LAX airport, Lamine Yamal stood on a platform facing a throng of cameras, microphones, and mobile devices. When shown footage of his brother relishing a carefree childhood, Lamine hesitated before responding. “I’m very happy, above all because we’re through. Bit by bit, I am feeling myself, getting the runs I need, the dribbles. This is where it starts: no one wants to go home now and we will do everything we can to stop that. I’m 100% ready to play as many minutes as the manager wants.” he eventually said. “I really appreciate the affection I get in every stadium,”
At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal has often reflected on the overwhelming sense of responsibility he has carried for much of his life. In a recent interview with El País, he recalled first experiencing fame and recognition at the age of 13. A video of him strolling through Walmart circulated widely at the start of this tournament, garnering excessive attention. While it may have seemed trivial, for Yamal, it represented a fleeting chance to enjoy a moment of normalcy.
Even among the world’s elite athletes, Lamine Yamal stands out. As a young icon, his presence is felt wherever he goes; each time he touches the ball, the crowd erupts in anticipation, creating a palpable sense of obligation. Within the Spain squad, this dynamic is even more pronounced.
Leading up to the World Cup, fans eagerly anticipated Yamal’s return from an injury that sidelined him since April. During the tournament, it has often felt as though his teammates looked to him for inspiration. Yamal noted that the group stage was merely a formality, asserting that the true competition begins now in the knockout rounds. He mentioned that he had “There is nothing in football better than a World Cup, and when a kid dreams of playing football they dreams of this. I enjoy every moment, from when we leave the hotel. I am 18 years old and at a World Cup; that won’t happen again. We don’t fear any team; we’re Spain. We trust in ourselves.” those initial matches to regain his form, emphasizing that if Spain played to their potential, no team could rival them.
Spain’s performance on the pitch has been nothing short of impressive. The full-backs surged forward, and Dani Olmo found space consistently. Coach Luis de la Fuente has encouraged discussions around Mikel Oyarzabal, and rightly so. However, the narrative often circles back to Yamal, who shoulders yet another layer of responsibility. After asserting that no one could match Spain’s prowess late on Tuesday, his teammates echoed similar sentiments the following morning before training. This was evident in their match against Austria, which de la Fuente described as “By focusing on playing football and spending a lot of time with my family,”
Before the game, Yamal displayed his caring nature by holding the mascot’s hand and checking in on them. As he stood in the tunnel, Olmo encouraged him to show the mascot the electric reception he receives when entering the arena. Afterward, Yamal was awarded the player of the match title for his thrilling and relentless performance, which featured impressive skills, including two nutmegs and a fierce duel with Konrad Laimer. Yet, even with the accolade, he appeared somewhat subdued when asked about his feelings.
“They’re the only ones who known me as just Lamine, who I am.” he replied. “I’m very happy, above all because we’re through. Bit by bit, I am feeling myself, getting the runs I need, the dribbles. This is where it starts: no one wants to go home now and we will do everything we can to stop that. I’m 100% ready to play as many minutes as the manager wants.”
Yamal added, “I really appreciate the affection I get in every stadium. There is nothing in football better than a World Cup, and when a kid dreams of playing football they dream of this. I enjoy every moment, from when we leave the hotel. I am 18 years old and at a World Cup; that won’t happen again. We don’t fear any team; we’re Spain. We trust in ourselves.”
When asked how he manages to stay grounded amidst the pressure, he stated, “By focusing on playing football and spending a lot of time with my family. They’re the only ones who know me as just Lamine, who I am.”
- World Cup 2026
- Spain
- World Cup
- features
