FOOTBALL – Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal said yesterday that winning the Champions League was his primary motivation this season and he was proud to be among the club’s captains at such a young age.
On Saturday, manager Hansi Flick said Lamine, 19, was one of three vice-captains elected by his teammates alongside Eric Garcia and Frenkie de Jong, while the German coach himself had chosen Raphinha and Pedri.
“There’s no greater motivation than the Champions League, which is the one I still have to win. We will give our all to win it. Good players have arrived, like (Anthony) Gordon, (Karim) Adeyemi, Rodri,” Lamine told a Press conference.
Traditionally, the group of captains selected are the more experienced members of a team, but the teenager was a surprise choice as fifth in line to wear the captain’s armband.
The record for the youngest Barcelona player to do so was Bojan Krkic in 2010, aged 20 years and 56 days.
“It’s something to be proud of at 19 years old. I’m very grateful to my teammates. It’s a position that comes with responsibilities, even if I’m only 19, but I’m very happy,” said Lamine.
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