I play football for joy, not money — Lamine Yamal

Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal has said his love for football, rather than money or personal statistics, remains his biggest motivation for playing the game.

The teenager, speaking to The Guardian on Saturday, said he does not want goals and assists to become the focus of his career, stressing that he enjoys football most when he is able to express himself and help his teammates.

“I don’t play football for money, I play because I like it,” Yamal said.

“Players who are obsessed with goals or assists do not enjoy. I play for fun, to dribble, to play one touch, two, to make a teammate who has not scored, score, for happiness,” he added.

Yamal also recalled an encounter with Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, saying he approached the former Barcelona star to thank him for his contribution to the sport.

“I went to Leo Messi and said: thank you,” Yamal said.

“I just thanked him a lot for everything he has done and how he’s the best. I’ve always believed he is the best.”

The Barcelona winger said the interaction with Messi was spontaneous and was not intended to generate publicity.

“I always try to distance myself a little from things that seem beautiful for show. The moment came from within. I saw him there, so I went to thank him for what he did for football, it came spontaneously,” he said.

Yamal’s comments underline his desire to retain the enjoyment and creativity that attracted him to football, rather than allowing individual statistics and public attention to define his approach to the game.