Barcelona’s young winger Lamine Yamal expressed on Monday his motivation drawn from basketball star LeBron James and Brazilian football sensation Neymar to fuel a potential Champions League comeback against Atletico Madrid.
The Catalan giants suffered a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of the quarter-finals at home last week but are determined to secure a spot in the final four for the second consecutive year by staging a comeback at the Metropolitano stadium on Tuesday.
Yamal recently updated his Instagram profile picture to feature James holding the NBA finals trophy in 2016 after orchestrating a historic comeback for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors, despite trailing 3-1.
“He’s a role model who can inspire me for tomorrow’s game, which is why I chose that image,” Yamal shared with reporters. “I will draw on his achievements and hope for a similar outcome for myself.”
In a more local context, Neymar’s standout performance helped Barcelona achieve the greatest comeback in Champions League history in 2017 against Paris Saint-Germain during the last 16 stage.
Following a 4-0 loss in the first leg in Paris, Barcelona staged a remarkable 6-1 victory to advance to the quarter-finals.
“I’ve revisited that match numerous times, and I witnessed it live as well,” mentioned the 18-year-old winger. “Neymar has been a defining player in my upbringing, he’s my idol, and I will forever appreciate his contributions to football.”
“He’s the type of player you’d pay to watch… I hope he excels in the World Cup.”
Yamal showcased his talent for Barca last season during their domestic treble triumph, though their European journey was truncated by a semi-final loss to Inter Milan.
Acknowledged as the world’s second-best player at the Ballon d’Or awards last year, the Spanish prodigy faced a formidable challenge in the first leg against Atletico, often dealing with double or even triple marking.
“I believe Lamine has delivered exceptional performances in recent games, and I advise him to leverage his prowess in one-on-one situations,” remarked Flick.
The teenager expressed his eagerness for the upcoming second leg, hoping for more opportunities to showcase his skills.
“I’m in great spirits and eagerly anticipating tomorrow’s match; I aim to be a game-changer,” Yamal added. “Let’s see if (Simeone) grants me the chance to face off against a single opponent.”
