Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal has made it clear that he will never compare himself to Lionel Messi.
The teenage sensation was instrumental in Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League matchday 4 clash that ended in a 3-3 draw against Club Brugge. Yamal scored a brilliant equaliser to make it 2-2 and later forced an own goal.
After the game, when asked about his impressive finish, Yamal once again downplayed any comparisons to Messi.
“Messi has scored thousands of goals like this, so I can’t compare myself to him. I’m just trying to improve and follow my own path, and hopefully score more goals like this,” he said, as quoted by Barca Blaugranes.
On Barcelona’s overall performance, he stressed the need for improvement: “We are Barça — we always have to win. We’re already focused on the next league game. It’s a tough pitch, and it’s hard to win when you concede three goals. That’s what we need to work on.”
Reflecting on his goal, he added: “I tried my best. It was a very fast move, and Fermín backheeled the ball to me. I’m just sad we couldn’t take all three points. Hopefully next time.”
Yamal also dismissed recent rumours about his physical or mental struggles. “There’s been talk about pubalgia and that I was sad. None of it was true. I’m just working hard to keep playing at this level — that’s when I feel best and enjoy myself the most.”
He ended by addressing the boos he sometimes receives from rival fans: “If they boo me, it means they know I’m doing my job well. I don’t let it bother me.”
0 Comments