Barcelona star Raimundo Yamal spoke to COBE Radio about his performance at the Euros and his expectations for both the Spanish national team and FC Barcelona.
He said, “I want to become a legend at Barça and play there for many years.” The 17-year-old winger revealed that he received an unexpected call before his Euro debut: “Before the game against Croatia, I got a call from Flick, who wished me luck and said he was looking forward to starting the new season as Barça’s coach.”
Discussing his football prowess, Yamal stated that challenging opponents is part of a winger’s role: “I always try to beat the full-backs because I think it’s a mental battle. If I succeed once, I keep going.” He isn’t fazed by opponents: “I don’t spend much time studying them because I focus more on my performance in the game. I tell the coach I want to keep going one-on-one against defenders.”
As the youngest player and assister in Euros history, Yamal sees this as an advantage rather than pressure: “Being the youngest is just a statistic; it doesn’t scare me because my playing style won’t change. It only helps me because every good performance gets emphasized due to my age.”
Commenting on his partnerships with top strikers like Lewandowski at Barça and Morata with the national team, Yamal showed respect and praised their experience: “I talk to Lewandowski often, in Spanish. I get along well with both him and Morata, even though they’re different kinds of forwards.”
Yamal highlighted the differences between Xavi and national team coach Delfine: “Their styles are completely different, but each brings something unique: Xavi emphasizes intensity, while Luis (Delfine) is more calm. Their personalities shine through on the pitch.”
In terms of tactical approaches, Yamal noted subtle distinctions: “Xavi asks wingers to drop back more defensively, so I help out defensively with the national team too, even if defending isn’t my strongest suit. Otherwise, the tactics are very similar between the national team and Barça. With Nico Williams, we’re more direct, but overall, it’s very alike.”
The rapport with Nico Williams, one of Barça’s potential wing signings, is evident, according to Yamal: “Nico and I play together often, and I always win. I’m his ‘boss’ in all aspects, controlling him!”
When asked which player he would sign if he had a club, Yamal promptly chose Nico Williams: “I’d sign Nico Williams; he’s the type of winger who runs at you, takes on defenders, and has great pace.”
Yamal wishes to bring home the Euros trophy as a birthday gift, given that his birthday is on July 13th and Nico’s is on July 12th.
Addressing the age difference among teammates, Yamal said, “It’s not that they’re old; I’m just too young… Pedro and Nico are four years older than me.”
Yamal lauded Morata’s captaincy: “I get along well with Morata, who gives me a lot of advice. He also tells funny stories.”
The player who surprises him in football is “Rodri and Guillem Balaguer,” with Balaguer impressing due to his shooting skills: “In training, he scores amazing goals regularly.”
Regarding Carvajal, whom Yamal assisted against Croatia, he said, “Maybe our hug attracted attention, but I don’t know if people think we argue because one plays for Real Madrid and the other for Barça.”
Yamal believes “good relationships within the team are key to winning the Euros and major titles.”
In his daily life, Yamal spends “around four hours on the internet and short videos,” but not during camp. He admits, “If I weren’t a footballer, I’d be a streamer.”
To conclude, Yamal hopes that if he contributes to Spain’s victory, “they’ll let me into nightclubs, maybe give me a special exception.”
Yamal: Delfine Is Calmer Than Xavi, I Hope Barça Signs Nico. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/football-world/yamal-delfine-is-calmer-than-xavi-i-hope-barca-signs-nico.html
