Lamine Yamal plays down competition with Mbappe and Haaland: ‘I don’t care about that’

Lamine Yamal plays down competition with Mbappe and Haaland: ‘I don’t care about that’ Lamine Yamal may be just 18 years old, but he is already a global superstar. Fans throng in numbers to watch him play. The Spanish teenager received such an ovation when he was brought on against Cape Verde and brought so much excitement with every touch. He has spoken in an interview with TVE ahead of Spain’s game against Saudi Arabia about a variety of topics. He first started by talking about Messi. He made his position on Lionel Messi very clear, and Barcelona supporters will love the certainty in his answer. Asked about the Argentine, the Barça winger did not leave any room for debate. He said: “Messi is the best player in history. If anyone has any doubt, it’s because they’re looking for it” “There’s nothing else to say, he is the best. In every match, Messi proves that he is the best in history.” Lamine is already being compared with the greatest names in football, but his respect for Messi feels natural rather than forced. Lamine has no doubts about who is the best in the world. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Growing up as a Cule , it is obvious that he would have grown up watching and admiring the Argentine legend. Spain want the biggest tests Asked about possibly facing Argentina, Lamine showed the confidence Spain need after their draw against Cape Verde. He said: “I hope so, to win the World Cup, you have to face the best. We are Spain, and we want to face the best.” Spain missed out on facing Argentina in the Finalissima earlier this year, and there could be a much-awaited match-up between Lamine and Messi later at this World Cup. La Roja cannot enter a World Cup hoping for easy paths. If this team wants to prove it belongs among the favourites, it has to embrace difficult matches. At the same time, Lamine refused to get caught up in comparisons with the biggest stars. Asked about Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Messi, he said: “I don’t want this to become an obsession for me. It’s not about impersonating Mbappe or, if Messi scores a goal, wanting to score one too. No, I don’t care about that.” “They’re 10 years older than me. And secondly, my playing style is different. I want to listen. I might score 16 goals and then fall short in the semi-finals. So that’s not what I’m looking for.” Mature words from Barça’s young star Such words show that Lamine’s maturity belies his age and that there is a reason he is as successful as he is at just 18. Lamine is not chasing headlines or trying to copy anyone. He is building his own game, which is exactly what Barça should want. Mature beyond his age. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images) He also laughed off talk about his mood in training. He said: “I understand that journalists’ job is to talk about something, and when there’s nothing to talk about, maybe they’ll have to invent something. But I was playing PlayStation all night and was asleep.” On facing tight defensive blocks, he sounded like a player already shaped by Barça life. He said: “I think we’re used to that in Barcelona. All the matches are like this. The important thing is to try to help. I’m used to it, so I try to help the team.” Asked whether he is ready for 90 minutes, he admitted: “I’m excited for the Sunday match. I feel good physically. I’m ready for whatever the coach asks of me.” His message to Spain supporters was just as confident: “On Sunday we will go to achieve the victory, and of course we will bring our playing style and show who we are.” “And together we will overcome everything. And I’m also sure that we will all be together on July 19. See you soon, and a hug to everyone.” As far as interviews go, that is as good as it can get. Lamine is pivotal to Spain’s chances at this World Cup and will be keen to impress against Saudi Arabia. The big question for everyone is how many minutes the Spaniard is set to play this Sunday, and it remains to be seen how Luis de la Fuente uses the Barcelona ace not just in the upcoming game but through the course of the tournament.