Liputan6.com, Jakarta FC Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal has once again become a hot topic of conversation following his exclusive interview with the American news program '60 Minutes'.
In the Sunday, November 30, 2025 broadcast, Yamal candidly discussed various aspects of his life, from comparisons to legend Lionel Messi to the pressures he faced as a teenager at the peak of his career.
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The interview hosted by correspondent Jon Wertheim.
The 18-year-old, born in Spain to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, spoke not only about his ambitions on the pitch but also about how he navigates life off it.
He has now become a key player for both the club and the Spanish national team.
Exclusive Interview with '60 Minutes'
Lamine Yamal's interview with '60 Minutes', which aired on November 30, 2025.
During the interview, correspondent Jon Wertheim asked deeper into Yamal's views on comparisons with Lionel Messi.
These comparisons frequently arise given Yamal's immense talent and position at Barcelona.
Yamal firmly expressed his deep respect for Messi, whom he called the greatest footballer of all time.
However, he also emphasized that he has no desire to be a replica of the legend.
"It's a mutual respect, and I think we both know that I don't want to be Messi, and Messi knows that I don't want to be him," he said.
He added that his focus is on following his own path and creating his own identity in the world of football.
Yamal even stated that he has no intention of playing like Messi or wearing the iconic number 10 shirt.
Lamine Yamal's Brilliant Career
Lamine Yamal began his football journey on the streets of Rocafonda, an immigrant enclave northeast of Barcelona.
His exceptional talent caught the attention of Barcelona scouts when he was just six years old.
From then on, he honed his skills at La Masia, FC Barcelona's renowned youth academy.
His professional debut for Barça came at the age of 15, making him the youngest player in the club's 126-year history.
This achievement marked the beginning of a career that was predicted to be incredibly successful.
Now, at 18, Lamine Yamal has become an irreplaceable key player for FC Barcelona.
Yamal recently finished second in the Ballon d'Or, a global recognition of his impressive performances.
Pressure and the Life of a Young Star
The interview with '60 Minutes' also highlighted another aspect of the life of Lamine Yamal.
He admitted that being a normal teenager at 18 is incredibly difficult, since his personal life is often disrupted by public and media scrutiny.
Yamal recounted how paparazzi often wait for him at home and people recognize him on the street, making simple activities like going out for a drink a challenge.
However, he stated that he doesn't mind his stardom and even enjoys it.
He listens closely to his mother's advice and has people around him who are ready to say "no" when necessary.
Current Performance and Condition
On November 29, 2025, he scored his first goal for Barcelona in a 3-1 victory over Alaves in La Liga.
This victory propelled Barcelona to the top of the standings with 34 points, two points ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid.
However, there was surprising news regarding his physical condition.
On November 11, 2025, Yamal was unexpectedly excluded from the Spanish National Team squad for a qualifying match.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced that he was exempt from the squad due to undergoing a medical procedure to address pubalgia discomfort.
The invasive radiofrequency procedure he underwent required a rest period of approximately 7 to 10 days.
Nevertheless, Lamine Yamal is expected to recover quickly and return to play for his club and national team.