Barcelona winger bemoans the “lies” reported about his physical condition
Lamine Yamal believes opposition supporters only target him on the pitch because he is doing his job well.
For the second time in as many weeks, the 18-year-old forward was targeted by jeers from the stands, this time in Belgium against Club Brugge. Two weeks ago he was the target of whistling by sections of Real Madrid’s support in the clásico at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But Yamal responded brilliantly, scoring one and creating another as Barcelona fought back three times in a 3-3 draw at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they whistle me and no one else,” Yamal said. “If they’re whistling me, it’s because I am doing my job well on the pitch. I am not worried about that.”
Yamal’s equaliser, coming just after the hour mark, was a moment of pure quality. Collecting the ball outside the box, he started a dazzling run, beating his marker and exchanging quick passes with Fermin Lopez, before slotted beyond the goalkeeper into the corner. Later, his dangerous cross led to an own goal by Christos Tzolis to bring Barcelona level for the third time.
The teenager’s display came amid lingering concern over his fitness. Yamal has already missed seven matches this season due to a groin injury, but he insists he feels fine now.
“I am good,” Yamal said. “A lot has been said about my injury and that I was sad. It was all lies. I wanted to work hard to get back to this level, which is when I feel the best and have the most fun.”
Head coach Hansi Flick welcomed Yamal’s return to form and said the forward had to focus on getting back to the best condition physically.
“I am happy that Lamine is back on this level,” said Flick. “But how I said also, we don’t know what is tomorrow; we don’t know what is next Sunday.
“The important thing is that he manages this situation, because it’s not easy. He has to be focused on how he trains and also the treatment.”
Yamal’s goal drew comparisons to Lionel Messi due to his brilliant run through a maze and then clever finish past the goalkeeper. But the youngster brushed off those parallels.
“I can’t compare myself with Messi,” he said. “He’s scored thousands of goals like that. I have to make my own way and hope to score many more goals like that.”
