Lamine Yamal kicked off his 19th birthday with a casual football session alongside friends, followed by a lively press conference ahead of the World Cup semi-final. In a playful moment, he dramatically revealed a lavish white gold and diamond chain, reminiscent of a style that would impress BA Baracus.
“Actually, no, I bought this for myself so it doesn’t count as a gift,” he remarked with a grin, expressing gratitude to the journalists who gathered to celebrate his special day. While he noted he hadn’t received many presents yet, he expressed a clear desire: “There are much harder things in life than a football match,”
If Spain secures a victory on Wednesday, his wish could come true. However, the challenge lies in overcoming France first. Despite the weight of expectations, Yamal insisted he felt no pressure, stating, “It’s a game, I know what I’m capable of and I’m not worried about anything.”
The day included a morning training session where he and fellow birthday celebrant Víctor Muñoz endured playful slaps on the back from teammates as they passed through. In the afternoon, he appeared relaxed and confident during the press conference. Afterward, he planned to give his three-year-old brother Keyne a haircut.
“I was asked if there was fear and I said no, obviously not: we’re European champions,” he stated. “We don’t have to talk too much, we know what we have to do.”
When asked how this match compared to others he has experienced, he responded, “I would say to him: relax, enjoy it. Anxiety, out! Let him enjoy it. Lamine’s great day is still to come at this World Cup. I hope it’s tomorrow and, if not, in the final.”
Previously, after the quarter-final, Yamal had asserted that rather than fearing France, it was the French team that should be wary of Spain. He noted that his Barcelona teammate Jules Koundé understood this mindset as “It’s special to [have] scored in games like this and of course I accept the challenge. 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.” and “We’re going to play one of the nicest games, there’s no space to talk about that,” “But if football serves any purpose it is for integration. All the more so with Spain and France, which are examples. That’s what football is for; not for talking about comments like that.” Yamal explained. “It’s very nice that football has given me the chance to be known in Chattanooga [where Spain’s training base was]. I never imagined I could go somewhere in the US and be recognised.”
Yamal’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, hinted at a desire for improvement, noting, “When the cameras turn to him he does silly things. He’ll see it when he’s older. I’m happy people like him as much as I do. When I see him, it amuses me.”
Yamal shares this hope, even if he tries to remain composed. Although he has scored against France in the past at ages 16 and 17, he has netted only once in the World Cup thus far. He remarked, “What would you say to a 10-year-old you?”
He also took a subtle jab at former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who had made a puzzling comment about France not being truly French. Yamal responded, “I don’t know: to be himself and enjoy it,”
Throughout the press event, the conversation mostly revolved around football, but also touched on Yamal’s emerging icon status. “because the Portugal coach talked about that [numerology] … and then Mikel Merino turned up! I’m not worried about scoring, all that matters is winning, but hopefully a goal comes tomorrow and it’s a great day. What I want as a present is a win.” he said, reflecting on how he never expected to be recognized in the US.
His fame extends beyond Chattanooga, as he is featured on billboards across the US. His younger brother Keyne has also gained a bit of stardom during the tournament. “He doesn’t realize,” Yamal shared, chuckling. “When the cameras turn to him he does silly things. He’ll see it when he’s older. I’m happy people like him as much as I do. When I see him, it amuses me.”
Despite the pressures of fame, Yamal has embraced the responsibilities that come with it. He was eager to participate in the press conference, seeing it as an integral part of his life now.
When asked what advice he would give to his younger self, he replied thoughtfully, “I don’t know: to be himself and enjoy it.” He was also queried about his beliefs regarding numerology, especially since turning 19, wearing the number 19, and the final being on the 19th. “No,” he dismissed. “Because the Portugal coach talked about that [numerology] … and then Mikel Merino turned up! I’m not worried about scoring, all that matters is winning, but hopefully a goal comes tomorrow and it’s a great day. What I want as a present is a win.”
