Yamal: "I've Imagined Winning the World Cup Hundreds of Times, We Spaniards Will Fight for Everything"
Barcelona player Lamine Yamal spoke about his readiness to compete in the World Cup with the Spanish national team, noting that he had been worried about not participating in the tournament after sustaining an injury weeks prior.
Regarding the World Cup, Yamal stated in a media interview: "This day has finally arrived. I think that since the end of Euro 2024, we have been thinking about this day, and we are all very excited. We arrive as the Spanish national team, as European champions, and we will fight for everything."
He continued, discussing his injury: "I remember the exact moment of the injury. I was praying that it wouldn't be serious, that it was just a cramp or something minor, because I felt the World Cup was very close. I knew it was a hamstring injury, and I had never had one before, so I was afraid it would be serious or that I would recover only for the injury to return and I'd miss the World Cup."
Yamal added: "It's true that motivation helps a lot, because you're going to play in the World Cup, so you feel like you haven't played any matches all season. I have a great desire to make my debut. In my mind, I feel like I've been playing for 10 years, but in reality, only three years have passed, and four years ago I was playing with my friends in the neighborhood. So, to see a player who was playing with you just a few years ago reach the World Cup is crazy, truly crazy."
He clarified whether he had imagined himself as a World Cup champion: "Hundreds of times, in my room or after winning neighborhood games. I think the World Cup is the biggest thing in football. For me, pressure helps me. Maybe it's high or different, but it makes me raise my level. I like to have a challenge and I enjoy it."
He concluded: "We are playing against very strong teams. If we face France, for example, even if I am important, if the team isn't good, we won't achieve anything. We have a fantastic team, among the best. We have Rodri, Oyarzabal, Pedri, and Cucurella who shone in the Euros, and even our goalkeepers are among the best in the world."
