Few gamers in soccer historical past have skilled the sort of meteoric rise that Lamine Yamal has. In simply over two years, he went from being a younger winger in Barcelona’s youth system to one of many frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or.
That rise has come alongside standout performances for each membership and nation, with Spain’s nationwide group enjoying a key function in his ascent. However with such speedy fame, success, and international consideration, Yamal admits there have additionally been challenges—and he just lately opened up about them.
“It has modified my life fully,” Yamal stated in an interview on the podcast Resonancia de Corazon, the place he spoke overtly about his private life, pursuits, and household. “Earlier than, I might do no matter I needed. I might exit for a drink with my associates, however now—none of that.”
To elucidate the dimensions of his fame, Yamal pointed to Barcelona’s latest tour of Asia. “I bear in mind this summer time’s preseason in Korea, Japan, China—it was unattainable to go wherever,” he stated. “However I’m completely satisfied.”
Lamine Yamal enjoying for Spain.
Lamine Yamal’s off-field hobbies
Regardless of being probably the most talked-about soccer gamers on the earth—and one of many sport’s most precious younger stars—Lamine Yamal continues to be simply a youngster, having turned 18 this summer time. And that turns into clear when he talks about his favourite hobbies.
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“I play plenty of PlayStation,” the Spanish winger admitted. “I’ve a buddy from La Masia named Brian, and we’re all the time enjoying collectively—we have now a good time. I might have the most important mansion on the earth, and I’d nonetheless all the time be within the PlayStation room.”
The race for the Ballon d’Or
Lamine Yamal has made 103 appearances for Barcelona since making his first-team debut on the finish of the 2022–23 season. In that span, he has scored 27 targets and shortly grow to be the membership’s most decisive ahead, enjoying a key function in Barcelona’s latest La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España titles.
Mixed along with his excellent performances for Spain—successful UEFA Euro 2024 and ending as runner-up within the 2025 UEFA Nations League—Yamal is now one of many favorites to win the Ballon d’Or.
He’s one among 4 Barcelona gamers nominated for the celebrated award introduced by France Soccer, alongside Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, and Raphinha. Nevertheless, Yamal seems to be one of many frontrunners, with most indicators pointing to a detailed race between him and Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele.
