Lamine Yamal marked his 19th birthday with a casual kickabout with friends followed by a press conference where he took center stage ahead of the World Cup semi-final. As he entered the room, he dramatically removed his tracksuit top like a superhero, revealing a stunning white gold and diamond chain reminiscent of something BA Baracus might wear.
“Actually, no, I bought this for myself so it doesn’t count as a gift,” he said, flashing a smile at the journalists present, whom he thanked for joining him on this special day. With a twinkle in his eye, he mentioned that while he hadn’t received many presents yet, he had one wish: “There are much harder things in life than a football match,”
If Spain wins on Wednesday, he may just get that wish. However, first, Yamal and his teammates must overcome France. There’s no pressure, right? Despite his coach and captain advising him to shake off any “It’s a game, I know what I’m capable of and I’m not worried about anything.” Yamal assured everyone that he felt none. “I was asked if there was fear and I said no, obviously not: we’re European champions,” he stated confidently.
His day included a training session, which featured him and fellow birthday celebrant Víctor Muñoz navigating a gauntlet of teammates who playfully patted their backs as they passed. In the afternoon, he enjoyed the press conference, appearing relaxed and at ease. Afterward, he planned to give his three-year-old brother Keyne a haircut.
“We don’t have to talk too much, we know what we have to do.” he reflected. “I would say to him: relax, enjoy it. Anxiety, out! Let him enjoy it. Lamine’s great day is still to come at this World Cup. I hope it’s tomorrow and, if not, in the final.”
When asked how this upcoming match ranked among all the games he has played, he answered, “It’s special to [have] scored in games like this and of course I accept the challenge. You lot say I am not at my best level, so you don’t need to expect anything from me tomorrow. But I hope it will be a special day.”
Yamal had previously stated that instead of fearing France, it was actually they who should be wary of Spain. He mentioned that his Barcelona teammate Jules Koundé, who will be an opponent on Wednesday, understood this sentiment, calling it “We’re going to play one of the nicest games, there’s no space to talk about that,” and “But if football serves any purpose it is for integration. All the more so with Spain and France, which are examples. That’s what football is for; not for talking about comments like that.” “It’s very nice that football has given me the chance to be known in Chattanooga [where Spain’s training base was]. I never imagined I could go somewhere in the US and be recognised.” Yamal asserted. “When the cameras turn to him he does silly things. He’ll see it when he’s older. I’m happy people like him as much as I do. When I see him, it amuses me.”
However, things haven’t transpired as hoped thus far, which is reflected in his manager’s comments. “What would you say to a 10-year-old you?” Luis de la Fuente said. “I don’t know: to be himself and enjoy it,”
Yamal shares this hope, though he tried not to show it. He recalled that he had scored against France both times he faced them before, at 16 and 17. Yet, he has only found the net once in this World Cup. He remarked, “because the Portugal coach talked about that [numerology] … and then Mikel Merino turned up! I’m not worried about scoring, all that matters is winning, but hopefully a goal comes tomorrow and it’s a great day. What I want as a present is a win.”
He also took a subtle jab at former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, without directly naming him. Rajoy had written in a World Cup column that while France was good, they were not genuinely French. Yamal responded, “We’re going to play one of the nicest games; there’s no space to talk about that. But if football serves any purpose it is for integration. All the more so with Spain and France, which are examples. That’s what football is for; not for talking about comments like that.”
While the discussion primarily focused on football, it also revolved around Yamal himself. This young man, who is already three years into his career, has become an icon. “It’s very nice that football has given me the chance to be known in Chattanooga [the location of Spain’s training base]. I never imagined I could go somewhere in the US and be recognised,” he expressed.
Yamal’s popularity extends beyond Chattanooga, as he is featured on billboards throughout the United States. His younger brother Keyne has even become a star of the tournament himself. “He doesn’t realise,” Yamal remarked. “When the cameras turn to him, he does silly things. He’ll see it when he’s older. I’m happy people like him as much as I do. When I see him, it amuses me.”
While the weight of responsibility can be heavy at times, Yamal embraced it during the press conference. He wanted to take on this role; it’s part of his life now and he incorporated it into his day.
When asked what advice he would give to his 10-year-old self, Yamal responded, “I don’t know: to be himself and enjoy it.” He was also questioned about fate and numbers, particularly considering that it was his 19th birthday, his shirt number is 19, and the final is on the 19th.
“No,” he replied, “because the Portugal coach talked about that [numerology] … and then Mikel Merino turned up! I’m not worried about scoring; all that matters is winning, but hopefully a goal comes tomorrow and it’s a great day. What I want as a present is a win.”
