Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal explains what helped him overcome fear of facing ‘bigger players’ in football

Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has explained what helped him face bigger players in football. The left-footed winger, who is just 17, is already operating at the highest level and comes up against some of the best defenders in the world.

Even at such a tender age, Yamal has shown that he belongs at the top level in football. Most recently, he played a crucial role in Spain's European Championships triumph in the summer, scoring a goal and producing four assists.

The Blaugrana academy product is also an undoubted starter at club level and has been named in the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or prize this year. Opening up about what helped him with facing bigger and stronger opponents, Yamal said (via @BarcaUniversal):

"Playing on the street took away my fear of playing against bigger players."

Yamal enjoyed his breakout season last year with Barcelona, making 50 appearances across competitions, bagging seven goals and nine assists. He's already recorded 14 caps for the national team, for whom he's netted thrice.

Lamine Yamal has begun the 2024-25 season extremely well, starting each of Barcelona's first four La Liga matches, bagging a goal and four assists. Expect the teenager to feature in the starting XI for the Catalan outfit when they play Girona on 15 September after the international break.

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Barcelona star Lamine Yamal reacts to being named in Ballon d'Or shortlist

Lamine Yamal

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has reacted to being named in the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d'Or award. Dani Olmo is the only other Bluagrana player to have made the cut.

Given Yamal's impact at such a young age at Camp Nou, the Spain international has been compared to Barcelona great Lionel Messi. Reacting to his nomination and these comparisons, Yamal told France Football (via GOAL):

"For me, the most important thing is to leave a legacy. In the end, being compared to Leo is more important than not looking at it. It is true that if you are being compared to the best player in history, it is because you are doing things well."

Despite a wonderful 2023-24 season, Yamal is unlikely to be among the favorites to win the Ballon d'Or award. Real Madrid stars Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, and Vinicius Junior are arguably among the top picks alongside Manchester City midfielder Rodri.