FC Barcelona Ace Lamine Yamal First Public Interview: ‘I’m Not Scared’

FC Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal has given his first public interview as a professional following an MVP performance in Sunday’s 4-3 comeback win over Villarreal.

“I’m not scared,” the 16-year-old declared after creating two goals in the seven-goal thriller. “I go out and play football”.

At the expense of Ferran Torres, Yamal was again given the starting nod by head coach Xavi Hernandez for the second game running.

In just 12 minutes at the Estadio de la Ceramico, he provided an assist for Gavi to open the scoring before later hitting the post twice.

Robert Lewandowski tapped home the rebound from the latter-occurring of those two efforts, which handed Barca a 4-3 victory.

In a post-match match interview with local broadcaster Movistar, after being declared the fixture’s MVP, Yamal gave his first public interview as a professional with the world at his feet.

Understandably shy given his age and lack of experience in front of the camera, Yamal explained why he is the polar opposite on the field where he runs at men double his age at will.

“I try to take advantage of every opportunity,” Yamal said.

“This is precisely what Xavi asks young people, to not be afraid,” he added, when asked about his confidence with the ball.

“Luckily I’m not scared. I go out and I play football which is what I’m good at.

“My mother is a little scared when I’m a starter but she supports me a lot,” concluded the teen sensation from the dormitory town of Mataro, who has been on Barca’s books since the age of seven.

With impressive back-to-back displays, Yamal is tipped to start next Sunday’s meeting against Osasuna and ahead of Raphinha – who will return from a suspension – and Ferran who has scored twice in his last two games.

“He doesn’t start at the whim of the coach, we see him capable of making a difference,” Xavi explained in a press conference following the Blaugrana’s latest victory.

“The most important thing in football, the decision making, is almost always right,” the coach beamed about his teenage charge, who should be called up to the Spanish senior national team on Friday for upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.