Lamine Yamal Is More Observational, No Longer Nervous About El Clasico

JAKARTA - Barcelona striker Lamine Yamal said he was nervous before his first appearance at El Clasico against Real Madrid last season.

Yamal, who was then 16 years old, came off the bench in the 76th minute at the Olympic Stadium when Barca lost 1-2 to Madrid in October 2023.

"To be honest, I never felt nervous in a game. However, when I made my debut at El Clasico, there was a bit of nervousness."

"I saw the faces of the opponents and how great they were. When I came in, there was a bit of nervousness, but when I came in, that's all, I forgot everything. I played and enjoyed it," Yamal told La Liga World recalling last season.

However, Yamal is now getting more mature. The rise of this 17-year-old player to the top of the game for his club and country over the past year has been marked by his composure.

The admiration has been thrown away from his mind. Looking at El Clasico on October 27, 2024, Yamal is even more motivated to win it.

"You look at the quality that exists in these matches. In the end, those matches are determined by small details."

"El Clasico's game is always special. It's an El Clasico game and we all want to win it," Yamal said again.

Yamal's next challenge at El Clasico is to face Real Madrid's left-back, Ferland Mendy, as Barca try to keep their distance at the top of the table.

He is now at the top of La Liga's list this season in an effort to take on (win a duel while dribel). In total he has done it 82 times, 10 times more than Vinicius Junior.

Yamal is also predicted to add to this positive record when he meets Mendy this weekend.

"This year, when I received the ball, I felt the audience starting to cheer. It really motivated me."

"I just saw the full-back and I attacked him at all costs. It's a feeling I've never felt before."

"It's as if my mother was in front of me and told me to attack the opponent. I can't describe that feeling, but it's amazing."

"I did whatever I felt was right at the time. In the end, I resisted and it felt like my feet were sometimes doing something by myself," said Yamal.