Lamine Yamal has learned something important about being a young superstar. The media can change its opinion very quickly. One month you are struggling. The next month you are the best again. And then the cycle repeats.
The 19-year-old made this clear in a recent interview. He said, “A month ago, you guys were telling me I was doing badly. Now I’m calm and enjoying it. I know at any moment, they’ll come back and say the same thing.” His words showed he understands how the media works. He is not letting it control him.
A month earlier, Yamal faced heavy criticism. He had a quiet start to the 2026-27 season by his own high standards. People pointed to his lack of goals and assists in the opening weeks. Some said his off-field life and relationships were distracting him. Others compared him unfavourably to Lionel Messi. Some even questioned his body language on the pitch. At one point, Spanish media asked if he was fully committed to Barcelona.
Yamal responded in the best way possible. He let his football do the talking. In the weeks since, he has returned to top form. His numbers this season show his quality. Lamine Yamal has eight goals and six assists across eight total La Liga and Champions League matches for Barcelona. He has three goals in two games for Spain in the UEFA Nations League.
His return to form has helped Barcelona climb the La Liga table. It has also helped Spain start their international campaign strongly.
Yamal knows the same people praising him now will criticise him after one bad game. He is not naive about that. He is no longer letting outside noise affect his mood or performance. He is also embracing the pressure that comes with being a superstar at Barcelona and for Spain.
Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s head coach, has defended Yamal many times. He said Yamal is very respectful and that it is good for players to value themselves. Barcelona teammates describe him as calm and focused despite the scrutiny. Pundits say the quote shows Yamal is learning to handle the pressure of being compared to Messi. Fans on social media mostly backed him. Many pointed out that he is still only 19 and already a World Cup winner.
This quote also comes during the Ballon d’Or debate. Yamal has said publicly that he and Kylian Mbappe are the two best players in the world. He believes he deserves to win the award. That confidence, along with this message to the media, shows a player who is no longer willing to be a passive subject of the news cycle. He is actively shaping his own story.
…Revealed Emotional Message to Lionel Messi After World Cup Final Victory
Lamine Yamal has shared what he told Lionel Messi after the World Cup final. Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time. It was Messi’s last World Cup match. For Yamal, it was his first major international trophy at just 19 years old.
After the final whistle, Yamal went to Messi and gave him a hug. He told Messi, “Thank you for everything you did for football.” Yamal said that moment came from inside him. It was not for a photo.
There is a famous photo of a baby Yamal being bathed by Messi. The photo went viral as Yamal became a star. Yamal said his father only shared the photo two years ago. Yamal had asked him to wait. His father once posted it on Facebook, and Yamal told him to take it down. Yamal did not want people to compare him to Messi. He wanted to be known as Lamine. He wanted to reach his own level first. He told his father, “When I’m Lamine, do what you want.”
Now Yamal is a world champion and has many years ahead of him. Messi has retired from international football. The image of Yamal celebrating while Messi sank to the ground felt like a changing of the guard.
FAQs
Q. How many goals and assists has Lamine Yamal recorded for Barcelona this season?
A. Yamal has eight goals and six assists in eight matches.
Q. How many goals has Yamal scored for Spain in the Nations League?
A. Yamal has scored three goals in two games.
Q. What did Yamal tell Lionel Messi after the World Cup final?
A. Yamal thanked Messi for everything he did for football.
Q. Why did Yamal not want his baby photo with Messi shared?
A. Yamal wanted to avoid comparisons with Messi.
Q. Which award does Yamal believe he deserves to win?
A. Yamal believes he deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.
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