Lamine Yamal tells The Guardian about his family and his view on football

FC Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal shared insights on his family background, his approach to football, and his life off the pitch in an extensive interview with The Guardian. The 19-year-old forward addressed his primary motivations, stating, If I had a child, I could take care of him. If my mother or father need something, I can help them. I no longer have that fear, and it is the only fear I could have in life.

Childhood in Rocafonda and Financial Stability for the Family

Yamal grew up in the Rocafonda neighborhood of Mataró, where he learned to maintain a private and guarded personal life. The player’s grandmother arrived in Spain alone from Morocco by hiding in a bus, paving the way for the family’s eventual establishment in Catalonia. Lamine Yamal also has talked about his grandmother, who was the first to sacrifice for her family, risking her life to arrive in Spain from Morocco. In a personal and emotional conversation with José Ramón de la Morena on the podcast ‘Resonancia de Corazón’, he explained that she was key so that afterwards the rest of the family could settle in and have a better life. His mother, Sheila Ebana, later arrived from Guinea, working demanding jobs including shifts at a McDonald’s in Mataró to support the household. Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, previously worked odd jobs, including collecting scrap metal, to help sustain the family. Sheila was born in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, and arrived in Spain alone as a teenager.

With his current earnings at Barcelona—reported at approximately 20 million euros gross per year with bonuses—Yamal has focused on providing long-term security for his relatives. The player purchased a new home for his mother in a location of her choosing in Premià de Dalt, featuring a garden and a swimming pool, allowing his younger brother Keyne to experience a stable childhood. Now I see my mother’s smile. We came from living in an apartment where the kitchen and bedroom were in the same space, Yamal said. That my brother can have the childhood I would have wished for is what makes me most happy, he added, also telling José Ramón de la Morena on his podcast ‘Resonancia de Corazón’, It’s everything a kid can ask for.

Perspective on Fame, Wealth, and Football Priorities

Despite commanding a massive social media following with nearly 60 million accounts on Instagram, Yamal maintains that material success is secondary to his enjoyment of the sport. The international footballer shows his beginnings as a footballer, points out what motivates him most, and clearly sees himself as a favorite to win the Ballon d’Or. The forward explained his philosophy regarding on-field performance: The point is that I love football. I don’t play for money; I play because I love it. Players who obsess over goals or assists don’t enjoy it. I play to have fun.

Yamal added in his interview with The Guardian that football constitutes a minuscule fraction of overall human existence. His approach centers on dribbling, creating opportunities for teammates, and entertaining supporters rather than chasing individual statistics. The player feels confident in his abilities as he contends for individual honors such as the Ballon d’Or following success with the national team, alongside a Spanish national team with which he has already won the Euros and the World Cup, something very few can achieve throughout an entire career.

Admiration for Lionel Messi and Protecting Personal Identity

Reflecting on international success and his encounters with Lionel Messi, Yamal described approaching the Argentine forward after a tournament final. I thanked him for everything he has given to football. I don’t do things to look good in a photo. That came from within, Yamal told The Guardian regarding the gesture. He expressed with emotion, I no longer have that fear. Addressing the widely circulated photograph of him as an infant being held by Messi, Yamal explained that he had asked his father to delay publishing the image until he established his own footballing identity, telling him, When I am Lamine, do whatever you want.

More on this story: Lamine Yamal details his conversation with Lionel Messi to The Guardian

What You Should Know About Lamine Yamal

What club does Lamine Yamal play for?

Lamine Yamal plays as a forward for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team.

Where did Lamine Yamal grow up?

He grew up in the Rocafonda neighborhood of Mataró, located in the Maresme comarca of the Barcelona province.

What did Yamal purchase for his mother with his earnings?

He bought her a house in Premià de Dalt in a location she chose, moving the family away from their previous living conditions.

How does Yamal view his role on the pitch?

Yamal emphasizes enjoyment and entertaining supporters over personal statistics like goals or assists.