Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal has recalled an early encounter with former Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets that helped him understand the standards expected of a player at the Catalan club.
Yamal also spoke about his admiration for Lionel Messi’s performances at the World Cup and revealed that he would like to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
The young star made the comments during an extensive interview with Argentine football figure Jorge Valdano on the “Universo Valdano” program on Movistar Plus. Mundo Deportivo highlighted several of his remarks.
Busquets’ Warning Left a Lasting Impression
Yamal remembered an incident from the early stages of his development at Barcelona, when he was disciplined while representing one of Spain’s youth teams for what he described as immature behavior.
According to Yamal, Busquets subsequently approached him and asked what had happened before delivering a message that stayed with him.
The former Barcelona midfielder made it clear to the youngster that representing the club came with responsibilities that extended beyond what happened on the pitch.
Yamal said the conversation helped him realize that life at Barcelona was different from that of an ordinary teenager. His behavior was now being closely observed, while his decisions could have an impact on his career and reputation.
The incident prompted him to change his lifestyle and establish a more disciplined routine centered around football. Training, matches, recovery and spending time with his mother gradually became the main priorities in his daily life.
The experience was particularly significant given how young Yamal was when he broke into Barcelona’s first team, forcing him to deal with fame, media attention and expectations while still developing as a player.
Yamal’s Admiration for Messi
The Barcelona youngster also discussed Lionel Messi and his performances for Argentina at the World Cup, expressing his admiration for the veteran forward’s ability to remain decisive on football’s biggest stage.
Yamal described Messi’s World Cup campaign as “legendary,” praising the Argentine for continuing to influence major matches and produce decisive moments despite being well into the latter stages of his career.
For Yamal, Messi’s performances demonstrated the level of quality and influence that can be maintained by a player capable of combining experience, technical ability and an exceptional understanding of the game.
A Desire to Face Real Madrid in Europe
Yamal also addressed the possibility of facing Barcelona’s biggest domestic rivals, Real Madrid, in the Champions League.
A meeting between the two Spanish giants on the European stage would add another dimension to one of football’s most famous rivalries, particularly for Yamal, who has already experienced the intensity surrounding El Clásico at a remarkably young age.
