Lamine Yamal on Fame, Family, and Becoming a Role Model Like Messi
In an exclusive interview with ESPN, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal opened up about how quickly his life has changed—and how surreal it feels to have kids looking up to him the same way he once idolized Lionel Messi.
The Barcelona forward has had an incredible season, scoring 14 goals and providing 22 assists. He’s helped keep Barça in the fight for three major trophies: the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, and LaLiga. This Saturday, his team faces Real Madrid in the Copa final before turning their focus to a Champions League semifinal clash with Inter Milan.
“It’s Something I Never Thought Would Happen So Fast”
“It’s incredible,” Yamal told ESPN as part of a Powerade campaign tied to his neighborhood, Rocafonda. “When I was a kid, I wore Messi and Neymar jerseys. Now I see kids wearing my jersey—and it means I’ve become their inspiration, at least in football. It’s something I never imagined happening so fast.”
He admits it’s a strange feeling knowing that young fans—many just a few years younger than him—look up to him. “My mom always tells me to think about how special that is. Not everyone gets to experience something like that. Seeing a kid in your jersey… it makes me so happy.”
Yamal’s shirt has quickly become one of the most popular in Barcelona’s official store. At stadiums like the Stadio Olimpico, it’s one of the most common jerseys spotted in the crowd.
From Rocafonda to the World Stage
Yamal made his first-team debut for Barcelona when he was just 15, on April 29, 2023. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind. He’s already won the European Championship with Spain and picked up multiple individual awards—like the Best Debut of the Year at the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards. Last year, he also won the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy Award.
But despite all the attention, Yamal says he hasn’t forgotten where he comes from.
“My parents are my biggest inspiration,” he said. “People always say I have a bit of my mom and a bit of my dad in me. On the field, I’m more like my dad. Off the field, I’m more like my mom.”
“They’ve taught me everything. They’ve worked hard and made sacrifices for me. The love my dad gives—to me and to others—is something I’ve learned from. Thanks to him, I know the importance of family.”
He added, “Everything I have, and everything I’ll ever have, is because of them. I always say I can never thank them enough—but I’ll keep trying.”
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Fame at 17 Has Its Challenges
When asked what it’s like being in the spotlight so young, Yamal says there are some downsides—but they’re worth it.
“Sure, I miss doing normal things with my friends,” he said, laughing. “Instead of hanging out, I’m usually doing interviews now. And we can’t really go to public places without drawing attention. But I wouldn’t trade this for anything.”
“For me, seeing my little brother happy, knowing my parents are at peace, hearing my grandma say how well she’s doing—that’s priceless.”
