Lamine Yamal has no intention of changing his lifestyle to appease the critics and says he has earned the right to enjoy himself.Yamal, who grew up in humble surroundings in Catalonia, is now one of the highest-paid players in the world having signed a new long-term deal at Barcelona.His off-field behaviour has attracted attention most notably his decision to hire dwarves to perform at his 18th birthday party last year but the Spain international believes life is to be enjoyed.He told El Pais: I think there are two ways of seeing life. There are people who live a normal life and then move on to luxury, but calmly. And then theres me, who understands that you have to enjoy it. I think people think a lot about things: what happens if I do this, what happens if I meet this person, what happens if this relationship ends, what happens if I buy this and then I dont want it.When Im older, I wont spend all the money I earn. I have the ability to leave things to my children and, at the same time, enjoy life. Because life has to be enjoyed.Everything I feel like doing, since I couldnt do it as a child, Im going to do it now and without fear that maybe its too much. Because Ive earned it. I had nothing and I have earned everything I have playing football.It is not something that has been given to me nor have I inherited it from anyone. So, I think I have the power to do whatever I want with my life. For me that is a law of life: what you have achieved, you can do whatever you want with it. Its true that you still need advice and thats fine with me.Table of ContentsYamal reveals downsides to fame and fortuneYamal reveals admiration for veteran MessiYamal reveals downsides to fame and fortuneThe trappings of fame do have their downsides, though.He added: Often Im eating with my partner or my mother and they ask me for a photo. And I think maybe its not the time.People dont know the value of being able to go out for a drink or go to the movies quietly. I cant live that. I think I would change a lot of things about everything I have for being a free person. Anyone can go to downtown Barcelona, buy clothes, have a drink and go back home. Not me. So, when I can do it, for example now, when Im in the United States, where no one knows me, I take advantage of it.Yamal, who is expected to start when Spain face Saudi Arabia at the World Cup this afternoon, has been labelled arrogant but the teenager says self-confidence is important.To some extent it is important to be self-centered, he said. I dont see it as a bad thing. But above all it is important to have a lot of self-confidence. People often confuse confidence with self-centeredness. In the world we are in, if you are not full of confidence, they can end you. And its true that its fun to have a little ego.Yamal reveals admiration for veteran MessiGiven his Barcelona links, Yamal has drawn comparisons with eight-time Ballon dOr winner and Argentina captain Lionel Messi.Messi turns 39 years of age on Wednesday and is still performing at the highest level, netting a hat-trick in Argentinas Group J win over Algeria last week.Yamal is full of admiration for the Inter Miami star and asked if he would still be playing at that age, replied: Impossible. Impossible. Impossible. Play, maybe. But at that level it is very, very, very difficult. And you must really want it too. For me he is the best and he continues to show it. Topics FC Barcelona Lamine Yamal Spain National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Spain v Saudi Arabia: Preview, predicted line-ups and where to watch Nicholas McGee 21st June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full list of confirmed teams, fixtures, groups and results Ben Miller 21st June, 2026 New Liverpool signing Munoz set to miss more of World Cup as Spain forward suffers injury setback Nicholas McGee 19th June, 2026 Spain coach De la Fuente frustrated after stunning Cape Verde stalemate: When the ball wont go in, it just wont go in Jon Fisher 15th June, 2026 Spain 0-0 Cape Verde: Report, result and goals as favourites stunned by minnows in World Cup opener Mitch Fretton 15th June, 2026 Frustrated Spain striker Oyarzabal makes history for wrong reasons in World Cup opener with Cape Verde Mitch Fretton 15th June, 2026
