Barcelona gem reflects on the start of his footballing journey, explains his signature celebration

Speaking in a candid chat with Movistar+, Barcelona teenage gem Lamine Yamal reflected on the start of his footballing journey and explained how his signature ‘304’ celebration is a nod towards his roots.

Just 16 years old, Yamal has already established himself as one of Xavi’s most trusted players in the Barcelona lineup this season.

The youngster has already broken several records since making his debut late last season, when he was still 15.

First steps in football

Now a full-fledged member of the Barça first-team setup, Yamal reminisced how his footballing journey began at a park in Mataro when he was just four years old.

“I remember going out in the street after school with my friends when I was four years old, and right in front of my house was Rocafonda Park. There I would see my father and my older cousin playing football,” he recalled with amusement

“That was the first moment I saw a ball and I fell in love with it. I think I’ve spent more time in the park than at home. Whenever I’ve gone outside, it’s always been to play football.”

The youngster then recalled how he used to be fielded as a goalkeeper more often than not and used to return home with injuries.

“They used to put me in goal when I was little and I’d stand there, they’d hit me in the face and it didn’t hurt, I didn’t cry,” he recalled.

“I would always go home with injuries and my grandmother would ask me where I was, or when it rained I would fall and get all wet, but those are experiences that you keep.”

Yamal talks Barcelona, ‘304’ celebration

Yamal hits the ‘304’ celebration whenever he scores. (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)

Yamal made his debut for Barcelona against Real Betis in April 2023, at the age of 15 years and 290 days, becoming the youngest player to represent the club.

“I remember that the first day I didn’t even know how to warm up, I didn’t know how to do anything. It was a great start that I remember very fondly. It was incredible for me,” he admitted, recalling his debut.

“Barça is my home, it’s everything,” Yamal went on to add.

The youngster also discussed the signature “304” celebration he makes every time he finds the back of the net, be it with Barcelona or the Spanish national team, stating that it represents the final three digits of his neighbourhood Mataro’s postal code (08304).

“Everyone in my neighbourhood did it because it shows the neighbourhood for what it is, but I remember that when I did it with Spain it was crazy. From then on it has become my celebration,” he remarked.