Lamine Yamal talks Xavi, Pedri, Gavi, Cubarsi, Mbappe, Real Madrid, Spain

With the international break underway, Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal is currently away with the Spanish national team, preparing for their friendlies against Colombia and Brazil.

During the national team camp, the 16-year-old sat down for an interview with MARCA, where he discussed a plethora of topics, ranging from his explosion at the club and international level, his friends, and manager Xavi, among others.

On Spain progression

It must be remembered that Lamine Yamal was fast-tracked into the Spain national senior team last year, with the youngster bypassing the Under-17, Under-19, and Under-21 levels.

“Being here is a dream for me. Always going with the senior national team is something I could never have imagined coming so soon. I’m happy and I feel privileged. I always try to enjoy everything that is happening to me,” said Yamal, to kick things off.

“Yes, I could play in some of the lower categories. I am very happy for the trust they have placed in me. In the end, I skipped almost all the stages of training in the youth national teams. Being here is a luxury,” he acknowledged.

Further discussing the matter, the wonderkid added: “A year ago I was here for something very different. I was with them playing in the U15, in the U16, and now I’m already with the big boys. Imagine that.”

On whether he has been able to assimilate what has been going around him over the past ten months or so, given his rapid rise to stardom, Yamal said:

“I understand it, but I try not to think about it too much because in the end, when you think about it, when you worry about things the most, the problems come. These are things that you shouldn’t have in your head.”

On his relationship with Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, Yamal added: “Very good with him, from the first day. He gave me a lot of advice from the moment I arrived.”

On his equation with Spain teammate Nico Williams and some other players, Yamal said: “There is a good group, with young people like us, Balde, Gavi, Pedri…. There’s a very good vibe.

On his game

Yamal acknowledged that he still feels a bit shy when people recognise him and approach him in public, but things are very different when he is on the pitch with the ball, as he is fearless, direct, and impactful.

“In those moments I try to forget everything. I just think about playing and enjoying myself,” he said, on how he focuses on his game.

“In the end I think it’s all about playing at your best and enjoying yourself. Don’t think about anything, just enjoy it.”

On whether he is able to think and feel the same way when playing in big games and strong atmosphere like the ones against Napoli and Atletico Madrid last week, he said:

“It’s just about thinking that you’re playing in the last 16 of the Champions League. You have to go out to enjoy yourself and try to have a good time.”

“Barça is a club where everyone talks about you. What you have to do is just think that it’s a match and try to enjoy yourself,” he further added.

If he has thought about his future and still having close to 20 years of his professional career ahead of him, Yamal said:

“Yes, I have thought about it. I stop and say, what will I do when I’m 26 and I’ve been at the top for ten years?”

On dealing with the pressure of professional football at such a young age, he said: “I don’t think it’s pressure, no pressure. Because you’re playing for the club you want, you’re watching in Barcelona, the best city in the world and that’s all.

“At the moment it’s all nice, it’s not pressure. I think that when you start to think about it is when you start to feel pressure.”

On Barcelona

In the Barcelona dressing room, Yamal finds himself surrounded by players like Ilkay Gundogan, Robert Lewandowski, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Sergi Roberto – most of whom are more than double his age.

“Two years ago I used to watch them on TV or go to the pitch to see them play. It’s incredible,” he said, reacting to the fact that he gets to share the locker room with such players.

Touching on the importance of manager Xavi Hernandez in his explosion and growth, Yamal added:

“At the end of the day, he is the one who takes me up to train, makes me debut with the first team, gives me continuity in the first team. He is the one who gives confidence to the younger players.”

The youngster also revealed that he is keeping up with his studies along with football, saying: “Well, I’m doing well. I have classes at La Masia. After training in the afternoon, I study.”

On whether the thought of playing in the Euro 2024 with Spain has crossed his mind, Yamal replied: “It’s something that is there… just thinking about a European Championship, bufffff!”

When asked if he would be open to playing in the Olympics after playing the Euros, Yamal replied in the affirmative, saying:

“Anything that means playing is fine with me. Whatever comes, fine, but first we will think about the European Championship.”

There are concerns in the Barcelona camp about the youngster’s workload if he is asked to play in both tournaments, as it could lead to injuries, like it happened with Pedri.

When asked if he is not afraid of what happened with Pedri, Yamal replied: “Well, in the end it all depends on the person. There is still a long way to go. I do not know, it’s something that can happen, but well, everything that is to play I’ll be available.”

Yamal then spoke about fellow La Masia graduate Pau Cubarsi, who has earned his first call-up with Spain and could make his debut this month.

“I was telling him after the match against Atleti that I think the best thing is when you make your debut. Then you can’t go wrong, everything will go well. Nothing, that he enjoys a lot and that it is a dream,” he said.

With Barcelona drawing PSG in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Yamal will get a chance to face one of the best forwards in the game in Kylian Mbappe.

Admitting he is looking forward to the occasion, the 16-year-old said: “To enjoy and see what happens. Nothing more. Everyone knows what he’s like. He’s an incredible player.”

On whether Barcelona can still win La Liga, he added: “I think that in all competitions in which we are still alive, we can still dream. If there is a chance of winning, you can win.”

Issuing a warning to league leaders Real Madrid, Yamal said: “We will be there. If Real Madrid fail, let them know that we’re right next to them, to take as many points off them as we can. We are going to give them a fight.”

Outlining his professional dream, the Barcelona wonderkid said: “To play a Champions League final, to play a European Championship, to play a World Cup. To be able to score in a World Cup or a European Championship.”

A dream goal that he wishes to score currently, he said: “The second leg with PSG, the winning goal.”