I don't feel the pressure: Yamal unfazed ahead of Spain's FIFA World Cup semi-final against France

Spain's wonderkid Lamine Yamal is embracing the FIFA World Cup semi-final against France, dismissing any pressure associated with the high-stakes match. The Barcelona forward, despite recent scrutiny, believes the upcoming game is the most important of his career and a prime opportunity to perform.

“

You yourselves say I'm not at my best, so you shouldn't expect anything from me, but I'm sure tomorrow is going to be a special day. It's the most important match I'm ever going to play. And I'm glad to have made it this far. We're all really excited, and me most of all.

"You yourselves say I'm not at my best, so you shouldn't expect anything from me, but I'm sure tomorrow is going to be a special day," Yamal stated during a pre-match press conference. "It's the most important match I'm ever going to play. And I'm glad to have made it this far. We're all really excited, and me most of all."

Head coach Luis de la Fuente echoed Yamal's calm demeanor, emphasizing the team's ability to manage responsibility while enjoying the game. "Playing in the World Cup semi-final - after all the World Cups I've watched on the telly - now we're the ones in the spotlight," he said. "We've never shirked the responsibility that this entails. We've always played with that responsibility, and we know what we represent, but we've also enjoyed something as wonderful and important as playing football on these stages."

“

Playing in the World Cup semi-final - after all the World Cups I've watched on the telly - now we're the ones in the spotlight. We've never shirked the responsibility that this entails. We've always played with that responsibility, and we know what we represent, but we've also enjoyed something as wonderful and important as playing football on these stages. It's a question of striking a balance, but we mustn't let the responsibility make us nervous.

Spain has shown increasing strength throughout the tournament, remaining undefeated in regulation time for 36 matches since March 2024. They are on the verge of equaling Italy's all-time record of 37 if they avoid defeat against France. De la Fuente encouraged his players to savor the moment, recalling the spirit of Spain's 2010 World Cup victory. "I tell [the players] to enjoy what they have today. You're privileged. We're privileged. We're going to play football, and we have exceptional footballing potential. Let's do what we know how to do," he added.

“

I'm very romantic; I like Julio Iglesias... how could I not be romantic? I tell [the players] to enjoy what they have today. You're privileged. We're privileged. We're going to play football, and we have exceptional footballing potential. Let's do what we know how to do. That's the pressure I put on them - look how soft I am - so that they can ful