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"I'm fine and my big match is coming," Lamine Yamal said in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, referring to the World Cup quarter-final against Belgium. This challenge will also be his last match as an 18-year-old.
On Monday, Yamal will celebrate his 19th birthday. However, Friday night will determine whether he will celebrate his birthday with the Spanish national team on the eve of the semi-finals, or already on vacation. Two years ago, in Donaueschingen, Bavaria, he celebrated his 17th birthday with a cake prepared by the team, just before the European Championship final, where he was the protagonist in the triumph over England.
In this World Cup, Yamal has been the only one of the Spanish stars who has not yet managed to shine fully. He returned after nearly two months of absence due to a muscle injury and is gradually gaining pace. This is also reflected in the minutes that coach De La Fuente has entrusted to him in the first five matches: 20, 45, 75, 84 and 90 minutes. So far he has only scored one goal, in the 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, giving some quality moments, but still not as much as expected from his talent.
"I can do better, what I'm doing is not enough for me. I'm super demanding of myself, I've never said 'ok, that's enough', neither in the national team nor at Barcelona," said Yamal.
This is his first World Cup, as well as his first quarter-final. Spain returns to this stage of the tournament for the first time since 2010.
"People remember moments like these, when it's the 1/8 finals, the quarterfinals and I'm with them, these are the situations where I'm most motivated. I consider criticism as something positive, but the day I'm good, the whole world should be silent," he said.
In addition to his goals on the field, Yamal hopes to celebrate his birthday at the World Cup alongside his younger brother, Kayne, who has so far attracted as much attention as the striker himself.
"It's like he's my son, I love him very much," says the 18-year-old.
Now it remains for Yamal to find his way back into the net, as no one celebrates La Roja goals with more enthusiasm than little Kayne. This was clearly evident after Oyarzabal's third goal in the win over Austria, when his reaction and smile caught everyone's attention.
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