Lamine Yamal is not willing to change his lifestyle to please critics and says he has “earned” the right to enjoy himself.
Yamal, who grew up in a lowly area in Catalonia, is now one of the world’s highest paid players who has signed a new long-term deal at Barcelona.
His behavior off the pitch has drawn attention – particularly his decision to hire young players to sing at his 18th birthday party last year – but the Spaniard believes life will be enjoyed.
He told El Pais: “I think there are two ways to see life. There are people who live a normal life and move on to comfort, but calmly. And then there is me, who understands that you have to enjoy. I think people think a lot about things: what happens if I do this, what happens if I meet this person, what happens if this relationship ends, what happens if I buy this and I don’t.
“When I grow up, I will not spend all the money I earn, I have the ability to leave it to my children and enjoy life, because life should be enjoyed.
“Everything I feel I want to do as I couldn’t do it when I was a child, I will do it now and without fear that maybe it is too big because I have found it. I had nothing and I got everything I have by playing football.
“It’s not something that was given to me and I didn’t earn it from anyone. So, I think I have the power to do whatever I want with my life. For me that’s the law of life: what you’ve earned you can do whatever you want with it. It’s true that you still need advice and that’s fine with me.”
Yamal reveals the negative aspects of fame and fortune
The reputation configuration has its downsides, however.
He added: “Most of the time I eat with my mother and my mother and they ask me for a picture and I think maybe it’s not the time.”
People don’t know the value of being able to go out for a drink or go to the movies in silence. I can’t live that. I think I can change a lot of things with everything I have by being a free person. Anyone can go to the city of Barcelona, buy clothes, drink and go home. Not me. So, when I can do it, for example now, when I’m in the United States, where nobody knows me, I take advantage of it.”
Yamal, who is expected to start when Spain faces Saudi Arabia in the World Cup this afternoon, is said to be proud but the youngster says it is important to be confident.
“To some extent it’s important to be selfish,” he said. “I don’t see it as a bad thing, but above all, it’s important to be confident. People often confuse confidence and self-esteem. In the world we live in, if you’re not full of confidence, they can destroy you. And it’s true that it’s nice to have a small heart.
Yamal revealed that he respects veteran Messi
Given his Barcelona links, Yamal has drawn comparisons with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
Messi turns 39 on Wednesday and is still playing at the highest level, scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s Group J win over Algeria last week.
Yamal is full of admiration for the Inter Miami star and asked if he would still play at that age, he replied: “It’s impossible. It’s impossible. It’s impossible. Play, maybe. But at that level it’s very, very, very difficult. And you have to really want it. For me you’re the best and you keep showing it.”
