‘Lebron James is an example that can inspire us’

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has informed the press that his facet will be impressed by the instance of LeBron James forward of their Champions League quarter-final return leg in opposition to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. The Blaugrana might want to come from two targets down on the Metropolitano in an effort to make it to the semi-finals.

A meme ran by way of social media over the weekend of Barcelona gamers sporting the identical sun shades as James earlier than his facet’s comeback within the NBA finals in opposition to the Golden State Warriors from 0-3 down in 2016. Lamine Yamal leaned into it, altering his Instagram profile image to the US basketball legend.

“I feel he’s one of many references that might encourage us tomorrow, and that’s why I put him as my profile image.  I’ll take into consideration how he did it, and I hope it comes off in the identical means. We’ve quite a lot of gamers within the workforce, and I’m simply one other participant, and I’m not the one one.”

Lamine Yamal: “We’re all culers, very culer, and we have proven it many instances.”

“LeBron will be an instance, that may encourage us tomorrow. Hopefully it comes off the identical means.”

“There will not be a minute the place we do not run.” pic.twitter.com/J8SgzV20SJ

— Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) April 13, 2026

‘The stress is a advantage, not an issue’ – Lamine Yamal

Many eyes will probably be on the 18-year-old to encourage Barcelona to victory, as maybe their most in-form attacking star. But the teenage star confirmed little signal of being intimidated by it.

“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have had extra accountability since I used to be little than I used to, and I don’t take into consideration that, I simply take into consideration taking it not as an issue however as a advantage, and the belief that my colleagues give me is price its weight in gold.”

“Fortunately I’m enjoying for Barca and there are lots of high-quality gamers, world-class veterans who show it yearly. I don’t assume it’s simply me who’s going to fail. If it had been, I wouldn’t thoughts both. We’ve many gamers who can flip issues round on their very own, and that’s why I place confidence in the workforce.”

“I really feel nice, I used to be questioned lots at the beginning of the season’

In the course of the first half of the season, Lamine Yamal battled a sports activities hernia in his groin, however appears properly and actually over it.

“I’m actually trying ahead to it. I’ve at all times mentioned that at first of the season my degree was questioned lots due to the pubalgia, and I like that these moments are coming as a result of that’s when the actual gamers present up, and I can’t look ahead to tomorrow.”

“I really feel nice. I’m motivated for it and I hope I could make a distinction, let’s see if Cholo does me a favour and places me one-on-one with some participant and I hope so.”

🚨 Marc Bernal can solely play for a most of 20 minutes tomorrow in opposition to Atlético Madrid. [@xavimunyozMD] pic.twitter.com/URq0rjG4Ff

— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 13, 2026

‘I’m grateful to Neymar for what he’s given to soccer’

On many events, Lamine Yamal has expressed his admiration for Neymar Junior, and expressed his want to see him in the USA, Mexico and Canada this summer season.

“I’ve watched the 6-1 recreation many instances, I noticed it dwell. Neymar has been an enormous a part of my childhood, he’s my idol and I’ll at all times be glad about what he’s given to soccer. He evokes us all. You pay for a ticket to see him and two or three days after the match you’d watch it once more simply to see his performs. I wish to thank him for the whole lot he’s given to soccer and I hope he will be on the World Cup.”

To this point this season, Lamine Yamal has appeared in 43 video games, scoring 22 targets and giving 18 assists. The teenage star is looking for a second straight Champions League semi-final.