Lamine Yamal talks about playing for Barcelona at 16: “I don’t think about it much because…”

Barcelona had a lot on their plate already during the summer transfer window, dealing with the exit of captains Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, while contemplating moves in other positions such as the left-wing and right-back.

Their problems only increased when Ousmane Dembele readily accepted PSG’s offer, who triggered his €50 million release clause. One of Xavi’s favourite players, the Frenchman was the cornerstone of the Barcelona attack, even if he did not have many admirers in the fanbase.

Luckily for Barcelona, La Masia produced yet another gem at the right time in the form of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal. The Spaniard travelled with the senior-team during pre-season games, and has now been integrated as part of the first-team.

Yamal has already played 23 games this season for the club in the league, scoring one goal and assisted two. His performances over the last month, since Raphinha’s injury, have caught a ton of media attention, and rightly so.

He was presented with the award for the Male Athlete with the Greatest Potential today at the America’s Cup Experience, organised by SPORT. He spoke to them during the ceremony while receiving the award.

“I am proud to receive this award, I am very happy. I also want to thank Barcelona and my family for always helping me,” Yamal said.

“Playing for Barcelona at the age of 16? I don’t think about it much, because otherwise I would be thinking about it all the time. It’s a dream, and it’s what I have always dreamed of,” he answered when asked about how it feels to play for Barça at such a young age.

Yamal has clocked nearly 500 minutes over the last five games for Barcelona, which has, of course, created some tension with the fans, who are still haunted by the ghosts of Ansu Fati.

However, with Raphinha nearing a full recovery, the teenager will be able to get rest time much more often, especially with Barcelona already out of two competitions.