Lamine Yamal claims to be ready to take the spotlight and decide the clash against Belgium in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, scheduled for tomorrow. The Spanish winger, who plays for Barcelona, acknowledges that he has not yet reached his best level since returning from injury, but does not hide his confidence in delivering a decisive performance.
At just 18 years old, Yamal missed the tournament's preparation due to a thigh muscle injury suffered in April and admits that he has room to grow, despite the team coached by Luis de la Fuente showing collective solidity so far. “I think I can be better. I am very demanding of myself. I never said ‘okay, that’s enough.’ Not even when I was at Barça and achieved my goal, so I won’t do that now either,” the young player told Mundo Deportivo on the eve of the crucial match against Belgium in Los Angeles.
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The striker also explained the difficulties of regaining competitive rhythm after the break: “I was almost two months out, and it’s not the same as when you’ve already played seven consecutive games. Continuing to touch the ball, continuing to play, continuing to accumulate minutes, and obviously, that game will come.” The Spanish international shows ambition and believes he is about to deliver a great performance, precisely when the pressure is higher and the stage more demanding.
“Yeah, I think so. Always, in important games, the semi-finals or the final, the higher the level, the better. I have never been a player who is the best in the group stage. I'm calm about that. I know I will have opportunities to prove myself, and I hope that against Belgium it will be a great game for the whole team,” Yamal added, emphasizing that he feels he grows in the decisive moments of major competitions.
Spain secured their place in the quarter-finals thanks to a 1-0 victory over Portugal, with Mikel Merino scoring late in the game. Yamal believes that this victory was crucial for the group's confidence. “It gives us a lot of confidence. For me, Portugal was one of the three best teams in the World Cup, and being able to eliminate them gives us a lot of confidence for the game against Belgium. But we know that every game is very different and that in a World Cup everything is balanced,” analyzed the young winger.
The Spanish international also commented on the performances of the world's great figures in the tournament, particularly highlighting Lionel Messi. “Incredible. Everyone knows who Messi is, but no one expected the high level he is presenting. I'm very happy for him. I'm happy for Neymar and Cristiano. They marked the childhood of everyone who is playing now. Everything good that happens to them will be good for me. Of course, if I reach the final, I want to win it,” Yamal concluded.
With renewed ambition and boosted confidence after eliminating Portugal, Lamine Yamal believes it is the right time for him to shine. Attention now turns to Los Angeles, where Spain faces Belgium in a clash that could definitively shape the young talent's journey in this World Cup.
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