Yamal: 'Besides football, my main duty is to absolutely obey my mother'

Young talent Lamine Yamal reveals the harsh realities behind the glamour, with his family ensuring he stays clear of distractions.

At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal has become one of the new icons of Barcelona and European football. Yet behind the on-field successes, this young talent lives under a strict set of rules imposed by family and friends to prevent him from being swept away by early fame.

In an interview with 60Minutes, Yamal admitted that he hardly has any control over his personal life. “Honestly, everyone says ‘No.’ Everyone around me says ‘No’ to everything,” he shared. “If I want to go for a walk: ‘No.’ If I say I want to eat out: ‘No.’ The question should be: ‘Who do you listen to?’ My mother.”

Fame came so fast that Yamal faces pressures rarely experienced by others his age. He said a normal teenager would go home to rest after school, but he heads to training while four paparazzi wait outside to inquire about his private life. “I turn on the TV, and I see myself on it,” Yamal said, showing the stress of constantly being in the media spotlight.

Even ordinary moments become a luxury for the young star. “I walk down the street and see a kid wearing my jersey. I want to go out for a drink but can’t, because people will stop me,” he said. For Yamal, the fans’ love is both motivation and an invisible barrier that makes it hard for him to live like a normal 18-year-old boy.

However, the strict control from his family, especially his mother, has helped Yamal stay focused during the most sensitive phase of his career. In an environment where young talents easily fall into temptations, this “strict” protection is seen as the foundation for Yamal’s continued proper development and impressive performance for Barcelona.

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