Spain's Laimin Yamal Embraces Pressure Ahead of World Cup Quarterfinal Against Belgium

Spain entered the 2026 World Cup as one of the top favorites, boasting a strong defensive record with five clean sheets. However, their offensive output, including from 18-year-old star Laimin Yamal, has been modest, with Yamal scoring only once so far against Saudi Arabia. Ahead of the quarterfinal match against Belgium scheduled for tomorrow at 22:00, Yamal spoke to Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo about his ambitions and handling pressure at a young age.

Yamal acknowledged the expectations placed on him, saying, "It's an honor when people say winning the World Cup depends largely on my performance. I don't see it as pressure but as something positive that makes me happy." He addressed criticism by emphasizing the importance of staying calm and focusing on winning, stating, "I take the positive from criticism. When you play well, everyone is silent." He also expressed a strong personal drive, noting he can improve and has not yet reached his goals at Barcelona or the World Cup.

Discussing his recent injury, Yamal said he was out for nearly two months and needs more playing time to regain full form. He denied reports that he was angry after the Saudi Arabia game, clarifying that his frustration was about wanting to impact the game more, not about scoring. Yamal highlighted his style of play, involving many dribbles, as consistent with his approach at Barcelona.

Reflecting on Spain's victory over Portugal, Yamal said it boosted the team's confidence, though he acknowledged every World Cup match is unique. He believes he performs better in high-stakes matches like semifinals and finals rather than group stages. On Lionel Messi's outstanding World Cup performance, Yamal expressed admiration and happiness for Messi, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have shaped his generation.

Finally, Yamal welcomed the potential arrival of Julian Alvarez to Barcelona, calling him a world-class player and expressing hope that the transfer happens, as it would benefit the team.