Lamine Yamal gave an interview to RTVE, talking about his injury, prospects for upcoming games, and his belief that Messi is the greatest player in history.
Q: Your name has been mentioned as a possible starter against Saudi Arabia.
A: Even if I start, it won’t be to play the full 90 minutes. It’s still too early for that. I’m still adapting, and I’m not ready to play the whole match yet, but I can come on as needed by the coach.
Q: What about your good friend Nico?
A: He’s in even better physical shape than me. There’s no rush for either of us. We have an excellent squad full of top-tier players, and we need to take things step by step.
Q: How do you feel about your huge popularity?
A: I’m used to it; it’s nothing new. I know how well-known I am both in Spain and abroad. I give my absolute best, which is what people expect from me. When you see that big poster of me on a building in Atlanta, it’s because my performances on the pitch excite fans and make them look forward to my games.
Q: Do Mbappé and Messi’s goals affect you?
A: Our styles of play are different. I just want to enjoy football and win matches. I don’t want to score 16 goals only to get knocked out in the semi-finals. That’s not what I’m after.
With Messi putting in a brilliant display in the opening game, Yamal shared his thoughts on the Argentine star:
A: Messi proves he is the greatest of all time in every single match. If anyone still has doubts, they’re just looking for faults on purpose. There’s not much more to say. Neymar is my idol, but Messi is the best there’s ever been.
Q: Thoughts on potentially facing Messi’s side?
A: At the end of the day, if you want to win the World Cup, you have to beat the very best opponents. If we don’t cross paths in the group stage, we might meet them in the final. We are Spain, and we’re eager to test ourselves against the strongest teams.
Q: Looking ahead to Sunday’s game against Saudi Arabia.
A: It’s clear we have to win on Sunday. We’re one of the favourites to lift the trophy, and victory is non-negotiable for us.