Spain forward Lamine Yamal has expressed confidence ahead of his country’s World Cup semi-final clash against France, insisting that the European champions have no reason to fear their opponents.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, the Barcelona star dismissed suggestions that his earlier comments were intended as a sign of disrespect toward France. He clarified that he was simply responding to a question about whether he was intimidated by the challenge.
“I was asked if I was afraid of France, and I said no. We are European champions. It’s simply football,” Yamal said.
The teenage sensation, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Monday, revealed that he marked the occasion by purchasing a jewel-encrusted necklace. However, he admitted that the greatest birthday gift would be helping Spain secure victory and a place in the World Cup final.
“I haven’t received many gifts yet. The best gift would be a win on Tuesday and a trip to New York,” he said.
Although Yamal has scored only once during the tournament, he remains eager to make a decisive impact against France. He stressed that while personal goals are welcome, his primary focus is contributing to the team’s success.
“I don’t focus on goals, but it’s always special to score in a match like this. I accept the challenge. That’s why I came here,” he said, adding that fans should expect an entertaining contest.
Describing the encounter as one of the tournament’s biggest fixtures, Yamal predicted an exciting spectacle for football supporters around the world.
Despite the enormous stakes, the young forward maintained a calm outlook, saying he feels no added pressure ahead of the crucial encounter.
“There are far more difficult situations in life than a football match, so I’m calm. I don’t feel any extra pressure. I’ll go out and play like always and give my all for the team,” he said.
Spain will face France in a highly anticipated semi-final, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.
