Remember the name. Lamine Yamal. The La Masia product is still only 16 years of age and this season he has brought the joy of youth to the first team, and consequently, to all Barça fans. The teenager is taking it all in with shrug of the shoulders and a smile and the current FC Barcelona occupant of the number 27 shirt talked to the Club's media in an interview that appears in the latest edition of the Revista Barça.
How are you finding this season?
It's been a dream to be able to play for FC Barcelona in front of our fans. It's also a unique experience to share a dressing room with world class players. I am really content and happy.
Since you debut you have been progressing amazingly quickly. How do you feel about that?
Everything is all new to me. Nothing like this had ever happened to me. My only intention is to keep playing and enjoying being in the Barça shirt.
You have set a lot of records. Are you aware of all of them?
The truth is no (laughs). Almost everything I do becomes a record and it's difficult for me to remember them all, but I am aware of some of them. They say that a lad of sixteen has never had so much an impact at Barça.
I imagine you are aware of the ones you were looking forward to beating. Can you name one of them? When I scored for the first time in a Barça shirt in the league it was very exciting. It was away at Granada and I recall that moment a lot, a first with my boyhood club.
Talking of goals that bring records, you have the chance to set another one in the Champions Leaue. If you score you will become the youngest to do so in the competition, beating Ansu Fati’s current record.
Yes, I hope to do it against Paris Saint-Germain, that way pick up another.
Which goal has made you most happy as a culer?
The one I scored at Montjuïc against Mallorca because it was a dream of mine to score in front of the Barça fans.
How do you feel when you score a goal in a Barça shirt?
It’s like a liberation, an emotion I can’t explain. I feel very happy.
When you score your usual celebration is a reference to your postcode. Why?
My neighbourhood is inside me. It’s an honour to be able to show the world where I am from so that they can hear about my neighbourhood.
Without doubt you have brought a lot of happiness to the Barça fans. What does that mean to you?
It’s a dream that makes me really happy. I feel very proud to go out on to the street and fans to stop me and tell me I am doing well.
When you are out on the pitch you are always smiling and enjoying yourself. Where do you hide the nerves of playing in front of so many people?
As Xavi says, fear is one thing you should not have. It can hurt your game; it does not bring anything positive thinking about fear. You just have to be happy and enjoy having the ball at your feet.
What role has Xavi played in your breakthrough?
He has had a main role. He’s the one who has confidence in me. Furthermore, he’s giving me a run in the team now and I am gaining minutes. I am really happy and very grateful to a figure like Xavi.
Confidence and praise. Before the game against Alavés, Xavi said of you that you had amazing talent and modesty to work hard. What do you think of that?
It’s an honour for me for a Club legend, now my coach, says those things about me. It makes me really happy.
Which team-mates have helped you most adapt to the first team?
Since I have come in, all of them. Above all, the younger players like Araujo, Gavi and Balde have helped me settle into the first team.
Being so young, how do you deal with the pressure of wearing the FC Barcelona shirt?
I try not to think about the pressure that surrounds Barça too much. I try to enjoy my football and that is the most important thing.
Furthermore, your breakthrough with the first has seen an amazing surge in your popularity. How do you deal with the spotlight?
The truth is, calmly, as it is something I can’t control. I think of it as an external thing. I focus on playing football even though there is a lot of brands focusing on me. I talk everything through with my family and I try to deal with it calmly.
You are 16 years old but you play like a veteran. What’s the secret?
I couldn’t tell you. But I do play with that team-mates that I have and that makes it easier. Also, when I am out on the field I try to give everything, 100%.
It seems you have a natural talent for dribbling. Is that something you were born with?
Yes! Dribbling is instinctive, I do it without thinking.
Do you have a role model to focus on in this aspect of the game?
Above all, Neymar and Messi; they are the two I like best.
Exactly, a lot of journalists and fans compare you to Messi.
That’s a comparison I leave to them, but there will never be another player like Leo Messi.
A lot of defenders, some of them twice as old, can’t stop you. How do you do it?
When I am out on the field, I don’t think about who I am up against. I play like I am in the U19s and I don’t think about defenders, and that way, I have more of a chance of getting the better of my marker.
Which defender has been toughest to beat?
In the Spanish Super Cup final it was really tough against Ferland Mendy.
The youngsters from La Masia are featuring a lot in the line-ups and in matches. What role has La Masia in your development as a player and as a person?
It has helped a lot in all aspects: as a person, with education, as a player. La Masia is everything. Now you can see the role of La Masia is crucial and it has helped many of us to the first team.
What advice would you give to the youngsters at La Masia?
I would tell that everything is possible, dreams can come true. I did not expect to be in the first team at 16 years of age.
What does it mean to you to share a dressing room and be out on the field for the first team with players like Cubarsí, Hector Fort, Marc Guiu?
I am really happy because when I was younger, I was in the same team as them. It’s easier being in the first team with them given I have played alongside them all my life. For me it’s an honour to be able to continue playing with them. I can tell you that whoever comes up from La Masia, I will be happy as when I did.
With Cubarsí in the Champions League you set another record, this time together. Barça became the first team to have two players less than 18 years of age in the starting line up in a knock out match. How do you explain that so many fans have their hopes deposited in this new generation? It’s a dream for us. Just seeing a young kid with your jersey is a dream.
How would you describe Pau Cubarsí?
Everyone can see him. He is an incredible player, with a big future. I am sure he will show us even more of what he can do.
Being an important part of the first team, we can ask you about goals. What are they for what remains of the season?
It’s better not to set objectives. We just have to let time run its course and get as far as we can in the competitions in which we are still in.
Is the league title still an option?
We are a few points off Real Madrid. Until the end of the final league game, we will not give up.
In the Champions League, Barça have made it to the quarter finals for the first time in four seasons. How are you feeling after knocking out Napoli?
Years ago I watched the Champions League on TV and being on the field is incredible. Now we have PSG and the team is very excited to be playing in the quarter-finals and the chance to get through. It would be a dream to win the Champions League.
Now it’s Paris Saint-Germain. Were they one of the teams you wanted to avoid?
When you get to this stage of the Champions League, any opponents are tough. Our goal is to play as we did against Napoli where we had good spells of play to get through to the next round.
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All the teams left in the Champions League have excellent strikers. Not just PSG, also Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Yet I am sure the FC Barcelona defence will be strong against them.
Going forward, how can you hurt PSG?
We have to play our own game, show our personality and show that we can do hurt the PSG defence. We will attack as a unit, not only the forwards can create danger but also midfielders can contribute in attack to create chances.
Let’s leave the all the hype and football to one side and get more personal with Lamine Yamal. What do you like to do when you are not playing football?
Be with my friends and play on the PlayStation.
We have seen you rather active on TikTok – with which team-mate do you like to create content?
With Balde as we always room together on away trips.
What would be the next TikTok you would like to publish?
One winning the Champions League final.
Is it difficult to combine your studies with playing for Barça?
I have time to do both, I can combine them well.
On a personal and professional level, how do you see yourself in 10 years time?
I hope at FC Barcelona winning lots of trophies.
Do you hope to win them as captain?
It would be a dream for me to be captain.