Spain's Yamal confident ahead of France clash: 'They should fear us'
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Spain's young football star Lamine Yamal expressed high confidence ahead of their World Cup semifinal match against France.
- Yamal stated that France should fear Spain, referencing past eliminations of the French team by Spain.
- He also discussed his personal performance, prioritizing team victory over individual goal-scoring and shared a touching moment with his younger brother.
Spain's young football sensation Lamine Yamal radiated confidence following their hard-fought World Cup quarterfinal victory over Belgium. The 18-year-old winger, a key player for "La Roja," declared that the Spanish squad feels no fear heading into their highly anticipated semifinal clash with France.
If anyone should fear anyone, it's them fearing us, we are the ones who have eliminated them before. We are two top teams, world-class, for me the best, we'll see what happens but we have no fear.
"If anyone should fear anyone, it's them fearing us," Yamal asserted in the mixed zone, referencing Spain's recent history of eliminating France. He described the upcoming match as the one "the whole football world was waiting for," emphasizing that both teams are among the world's elite.
Yamal also addressed his personal form, noting that he is recovering well from a previous muscle injury and feels increasingly prepared for the tournament's decisive stages. Despite a modest goal tally of one in the World Cup so far, he stressed his commitment to the team's success, stating, "If I win the World Cup and don't score, nobody will say anything to me." He prioritized collective triumph, adding, "As long as we keep advancing, I'll be very happy."
I'm feeling much better, I was coming off an injury and each week that passes I'll be better. I arrive with a lot of confidence, I know everything will go well and that I am prepared.
Beyond the competitive intensity, Yamal revealed a more personal side, recounting a tender video call with his younger brother before the Belgium match. His brother's playful imitation of Yamal's goal celebration brought him joy, highlighting the human element amidst the high-stakes tournament.
I'm not frustrated. I won the Euro scoring one goal. If I win the World Cup and don't score more, nobody will say anything to me. We win and that's it. As long as we keep advancing, I'll be very happy.
Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.