No one reveled in Spain’s recent victory over Austria quite like Keyne, Lamine Yamal’s three-year-old brother. As the third goal hit the net, cameras captured the young boy joyfully raising his arms and shouting, “It makes me emotional to see my brother happy, and my mum. He is everything to me. It’s like he is my son and I’m in love with him.” This moment quickly sparked a flurry of memes in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, 30 meters underground at the Los Angeles Stadium—constructed below the surface due to its proximity to LAX—Lamine Yamal stood before a throng of cameras and microphones. When someone showed him footage of his brother enjoying the childhood experiences he missed, he paused before responding. “I’m very happy, above all because we’re through. Bit by bit, I am feeling myself, getting the runs I need, the dribbles. This is where it starts: no one wants to go home now and we will do everything we can to stop that. I’m 100% ready to play as many minutes as the manager wants.” he said eventually. “I really appreciate the affection I get in every stadium,”
At just 18 years old, Yamal has expressed that he has carried a heavy burden of responsibility for as long as he can remember. In a recent interview with El País, he revealed that he first experienced a sense of fame when he was just 13. A video of him walking through Walmart went viral at the start of the competition. While it may have seemed like a trivial moment, it represented a rare chance for him to partake in something ordinary.
Even among the world’s elite players, Lamine Yamal stands out. At 18, he has become an icon, with his image widely recognized. Every time he touches the ball in a stadium, a wave of excitement surges through the crowd, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and pressure. His presence seems to overshadow all else, especially within the Spanish squad.
As the World Cup approached, anticipation grew for his return from an injury that sidelined him since April. During the tournament, it has often felt as though his teammates look to him for inspiration. Yamal noted that the group stage was merely a formality; the real competition begins now in the knockout rounds. He indicated that he used those initial matches to regain his confidence, asserting that if Spain can play their game, no one can match their skill.
Spain showcased their impressive play throughout the pitch, with defenders making significant strides and players like Dani Olmo exploiting spaces. Coach Luis de la Fuente has consistently highlighted Mikel Oyarzabal’s contributions, and rightfully so. Yet, it often seems that the spotlight returns to Yamal, placing further expectations on his shoulders. After he declared that no one could rival Spain late Tuesday night, his teammates echoed the sentiment the following morning before training in Carso. The next day, against Austria, they demonstrated their abilities. “There is nothing in football better than a World Cup, and when a kid dreams of playing football they dreams of this. I enjoy every moment, from when we leave the hotel. I am 18 years old and at a World Cup; that won’t happen again. We don’t fear any team; we’re Spain. We trust in ourselves.” de la Fuente described their performance.
Before the match, Yamal interacted with the mascot, asking if they were doing well. In the tunnel, Olmo encouraged his “By focusing on playing football and spending a lot of time with my family,” to show the mascot the thrilling atmosphere of entering the arena, highlighting the impact he has on fans. After the match, Yamal accepted the player of the match award, having delivered a thrilling performance filled with remarkable touches, including two nutmegs and a tough contest with Konrad Laimer. Despite his achievement, he seemed somewhat subdued when asked about his happiness.
“They’re the only ones who known me as just Lamine, who I am.” he said. “I’m very happy, above all because we’re through. Bit by bit, I am feeling myself, getting the runs I need, the dribbles. This is where it starts: no one wants to go home now and we will do everything we can to stop that. I’m 100% ready to play as many minutes as the manager wants.”
“I really appreciate the affection I get in every stadium,” Yamal continued. “There is nothing in football better than a World Cup, and when a kid dreams of playing football, they dream of this. I enjoy every moment, from when we leave the hotel. I am 18 years old and at a World Cup; that won’t happen again. We don’t fear any team; we’re Spain. We trust in ourselves.”
When asked how he manages to stay focused amidst the pressure, Yamal replied, “By focusing on playing football and spending a lot of time with my family. They’re the only ones who know me as just Lamine, who I am.”
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