Lamine Yamal, a 19-year-old Spanish footballer, shared his excitement about being part of Spain's World Cup victory. He mentioned that he wanted to continue playing during the final in New Jersey and described the experience as fun rather than stressful. Yamal was surprised to be in the final, having turned 17 before the Euro 2024 final and 19 before the World Cup semi-final. He also got to experience New York as a champion, a trip he had requested before the tournament. Yamal talked about the mental challenges of playing against defenders, comparing them to robots and highlighting the human aspect of football. He mentioned watching videos of Neymar and using strategies to avoid being treated like a machine by opponents. He recalled a specific moment in the final where he created space for Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal. Yamal reflected on his relationship with Lionel Messi, hugging him after the final and thanking him for his contributions to football. He also shared a childhood memory involving Messi, where the football legend bathed him. Yamal explained why he did not want a photo of that incident published for 17 years, showing his respect for privacy and personal boundaries. Yamal acknowledged the comparisons to Messi and other football greats but emphasized his desire to be recognized for his own achievements. He expressed confidence in his abilities and the possibility of winning the Ballon d’Or, stating that he believes he has been at a level to win it for longer than just this year. Yamal discussed the pressure of success and the expectations from his family, noting that they do not fully understand the challenges of maintaining consistent success. He also talked about his upbringing in a tough neighborhood and the responsibility he feels towards his family. His motivation comes from his love for football and the desire to provide for them. Yamal highlighted the importance of fun in football, expressing that he plays for the joy of the game and the happiness of the fans. He emphasized that football should be enjoyable and that players should focus on the experience rather than just statistics.