"For me it's a pride" - Barcelona star Lamine Yamal reacts after winning 2024 Golden Boy award
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has reacted to winning the 2024 Golden Boy award. The 17-year-old was exceptional in the last season for his club and country and helped Spain to glory at Euro 2024 this summer.
Yamal was an essential part of Blaugrana's campaign last year, playing 50 games across competitions, scoring seven goals, and assisting nine. He was also phenomenal at the European Championship, where he broke the record for the youngest player to make an assist in the tournament. He provided four assists and scored one goal in seven games as Spain won the trophy.
After he claimed the 2024 Golden Boy Award, he said via Fabrizio Romano:
“For me it's a pride to win the Golden Boy. I'm very happy and it's a dream. I don't want to forget my teammates, my coaches, the staff of both Barça and the Spanish national team. It's been an incredible year and it's also ending in an incredible way”.
Lamine Yamal has been in fine form for Barcelona this season, bagging six goals and eight assists in 16 games across competitions. He is currently out with an ankle injury but is expected to return imminently.
"We know how important he is, I won't deny that"- Barcelona star discusses Lamine Yamal's impact on the team
Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez has discussed Lamine Yamal's importance to the team. The veteran Spanish defender discussed the youngster in light of his absence from the team due to injury.
Blaugrana had failed to win any of their three previous games without the young attacker this season. The Spanish giants lost to Osasuna and Real Sociedad and drew with Celta Vigo in his absence.
Before Barca faced Brest in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday (November 26) in a game Yamal was set to miss due to injury, Martinez said (via 90min):
"We know how important he is, I won't deny that, He is very unbalancing and makes the opponent's defensive line retreat. He generates a lot of fear. He is vital, but that doesn't mean that whoever replaces him isn't up to the task."
"Everyone who comes on tries to give 100 or 200%. Lamine is Lamine, we don't have him now and that doesn't mean that just because he's not here we won't win. We have to focus on those we have. There is enough of a squad to win every game. We know his potential."
Barcelona secured a win against their French opponents, with a Robert Lewandowski goal either side of a Dani Olmo strike securing a 3-0 win. Lamine Yamal is expected to return to the team by the next game when they face Las Palmas at home in LaLiga on Saturday, November 30.
