The Barcelona star reflected on the neighborhood where he grew up and the experiences that shaped his journey to the top of football.
Yamal explained that his rise to prominence has brought greater attention to his home community, where many young people are searching for opportunities to build a better future.
“Now that I’m in this position, more people are starting to pay attention to my home neighborhood. Kids there are all looking for opportunities, and that’s the message I want to send them. My grandmother and cousins live there. I used to play football and cards there. All my happy times outside of home were spent there.”
The Spanish international also described his close relationship with his father, whom he considers more of a friend, and recalled how his mother’s hard work helped shape his upbringing.
“My father is more like a friend to me; he comes to see me every day and talks with my friends. My personality, both on and off the field, is like that. My mother used to work at McDonald’s. We came from an ordinary family, but during holidays, my mom always made sure we had a good time and even bought me a PlayStation.”
Reflecting on his mother’s sacrifices, Yamal expressed deep gratitude for everything she did to support him, describing her as the biggest role model in his early years.
“I can never repay her for everything she’s given me. My mother was the most important role model during my youth. She would come home, talk with me, prepare dinner, and then go back to work.”
Beyond football, the 18-year-old emphasized the importance of treating people fairly and avoiding quick judgments. He said his abilities on the pitch and his personality are what set him apart, while highlighting the determination and ambition shared by people from his neighborhood.
“Don’t judge others easily. Everyone is born equal, and there are bad people everywhere in the world. What truly makes me different is my football skills and my personality, which make me unique. The people who live there are very similar to me in character: hardworking and striving for their future.”
