I Don’t Play for Money, I Play Because I Love It” – Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal has opened up about what football means to him, insisting that his motivations are money, goals, or just statistics.
In an interview with The Guardian, the Barcelona and Spain star explained that he still approaches football with the same sense of enjoyment that he had growing up in Rocafonda.
“The thing is, I love football. I don’t play for money, I play because I love it.”
For Yamal, the joy comes from what happens on the pitch rather than simply looking at the numbers after a game.
“Players who obsess over goals or assists don’t enjoy it. I play for the fun: to dribble, to play one touch, two touches, to make a teammate who hasn’t scored score.”
He also spoke about the reaction from supporters and how much he enjoys creating moments for them.
“For the fans’ happiness. To hear the olés. I play for that. I enjoy it. I get home and I say: ‘I’ve had a great time.’ If every player did that, we would enjoy it much more.”
That attitude has remained part of Yamal’s identity despite the enormous attention that has followed him since he broke into Barcelona’s first team.
The 19-year-old admitted that he enjoys the pressure when he steps onto the pitch, and people expect him to produce something special. He described the feeling of receiving the ball in front of a crowd and knowing everyone is waiting to see what he will do next.
“At the World Cup, you heard it, felt it: when I got the ball, they would stand up, one after the other, all along the row,” Yamal said.
He believes that excitement is one of the things that makes football different from anything else.
“That feeling, that expectation, is something you can only experience in sport, being a player like me.”
Yamal also spoke about his upbringing and the role his family has played in helping him reach the top. He said he had seen his mother struggle so that he could play football, while his father collected scrap metal to help provide for the family.
That experience has shaped his perspective on success. Rather than worrying about football pressure, Yamal said his biggest responsibility is looking after his family and making sure they can enjoy the life they worked for.
He also credited both his roots in Rocafonda and Barcelona’s La Masia academy for shaping his style. According to Yamal, Barcelona gave him control and understanding of the game, while playing football in the streets taught him to take on opponents without overthinking.
“Barcelona gave me control, understanding, IQ. In the park there’s no IQ: you go at your opponent, then go back again. I have that.”
And for him, that freedom to enjoy himself is what makes the difference.
“You feel like Superman. You feel spectacular.”
