Lamine Yamal, FC Barcelona's rising star with a fearless attitude

His performances for both Barcelona and Spain have placed him in the spotlight, with nominations for the prestigious Ballon d'Or and making him a frontrunner for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best under-21 player.

In a recent interview with L'Equipe, Yamal shared how his life has changed dramatically in recent years and reflected on his journey from fan to football star.

Yamal has gone from watching his idols on television to playing alongside them in a matter of months.

Reflecting on his early days training under then-coach Xavi Hernandez, Yamal recalled his shyness. "The first time I left my boots in the locker room and went to the gym to ride the bike because I was too embarrassed to stay," he admitted.

"I would see players like Jordi Alba, Pique, and Pjanic... but over time I adapted, and by the time I made my debut, I wasn't nervous."

Despite his initial nerves, Yamal explained that he is unfazed by playing against older opponents, something he has been accustomed to from a young age. "Playing in the streets helped me lose the fear of playing against bigger guys. I was 11 or 12, and my opponents were 20. That helped me enjoy the game and feel confident against anyone," said the Spanish winger.

Interestingly, Yamal revealed that he doesn't enjoy games where the challenge is too easy. "I'm the kind of guy who doesn't like being way better than the rest, like I was in the youth teams.

"I don't like relaxing or taking it easy. I always want it to be more difficult. I'd rather not play than play and find it too easy."

Growing up, Yamal's biggest challenge was sometimes found at home, where his father came up with an unusual opponent. "I always played with my dogs because my dad said they didn't bite, and I would run around with them. Playing against a dog is the toughest challenge you can face," he joked.

Despite the inevitable comparisons to Lionel Messi, given Yamal's left-footed ability and his one-on-one style, the young star doesn't feel burdened. "The most important thing is not to focus on it. Being compared to the greatest in history means you're doing well. It doesn't bother me, but I try to be myself," he explained.

Yamal is determined to leave his own mark, stating, "The most important thing is to have a legacy."

Surprisingly, Yamal's idol growing up wasn't Messi but Neymar. "I used to go to a friend's house to watch Neymar videos all afternoon. Then, I would go home and practise in my room," he said.

However, his earliest football memories are still tied to Barcelona's golden era: "Messi, Villa, Pedro... those are the first images I remember."

Yamal credits his time at La Masia, Barcelona's famed academy, for shaping him into the player he is today. "When I arrived, I had the one-on-one ability and verticality, but I didn't have control over myself.

"I didn't know when to play fast or slow, or how to play as part of a team," he reflected.

Yamal's meteoric rise is a story of talent, fearlessness, and a desire to continually challenge himself, as he continues to make waves in world football.

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