Spain's Lamine Yamal celebrated his 19th birthday with a kickabout, a press conference, and a declaration that he feels no pressure ahead of the World Cup semi-final against France in Dallas. The young star, who bought himself a large gold and diamond chain, stated, 'What I want as a present is a win.'
Yamal dismisses pressure
Asked about the weight of the occasion, Yamal said, 'Pressure? No.' He added, 'There are much harder things in life than a football match. It’s a game, I know what I’m capable of and I’m not worried about anything.' His coach, Luis de la Fuente, had urged him to relax, saying, 'Anxiety, out! Let him enjoy it. Lamine’s great day is still to come at this World Cup.'
Confidence against France
Yamal, who has scored in both previous meetings with France, said, 'We’re European champions. We don’t have to talk too much, we know what we have to do.' He also addressed comments by former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy, who questioned France's identity, stating, 'If football serves any purpose it is for integration.'
Birthday and family
After training, where teammates pounded him on the back, Yamal planned to cut his three-year-old brother Keyne's hair. He noted that his brother has become a star of the tournament, saying, 'When I see him, it amuses me.'
Looking ahead
Yamal, who has scored only one goal at this World Cup, accepted the challenge to improve. 'You lot say I am not at my best level, so you don’t need to expect anything from me tomorrow. But I hope it will be a special day.' He dismissed numerology, referencing Portugal's coach, and reiterated his desire for a win.
