Yamal Affirms His Lifelong Dedication to FC Barcelona
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New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) Lamine Yamal, a player who has gained significant recognition over the past year, has announced his desire to extend his existing contract with FC Barcelona, which is set to expire in 2026. The young Spaniard played a pivotal role in his nation's triumph at the 2024 European Championship and emphasized that FC Barcelona is the ‘club of his life’.
“I don’t know when (the contract will be signed), but I believe it’ll be soon. In the end, Barca is the club of my life. I hope to renew my contract with them and to be with them as long as possible. I want to play in the Spanish league. I want to play for Barca, and yes, I will renew my contract. I will,” Yamal conveyed to CNN.
Making his debut at just 15 years old, Yamal holds the record as the youngest player to ever represent the club, having grown up idolizing the golden generation of the Catalonian side.
Although many have compared him to Lionel Messi, Yamal surprisingly mentioned that it was actually Neymar Jr who inspired him during his childhood.
“I was five years old when I saw him at Santos, but seven when I witnessed him live at FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou. It was an unforgettable experience. Yes, it’s true that (Lionel) Messi was there too, who is also incredible, but Neymar was something completely unique. He has always been my idol. He’s a star, a football legend,” he remarked.
The 17-year-old faced a setback due to an ankle injury in December, sidelining him for up to four weeks, which has been challenging for his team. After matching the club’s best-ever start under coach Hansi Flick with seven consecutive victories, the team has slipped behind Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the standings after suffering losses to Leganes and Atletico.
Yamal is confident that his team will continue to push for the title. “Ultimately, La Liga will be won against the teams we’ve previously lost to. I think it’s about focus. We’ve proven in crucial moments that we are the best and we will persist,” Yamal stated.
