Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has opened up on how he deals with the constant circulation of false rumours regarding his personal and professional life.
Yamal has continued his impressive form for Barcelona this season, netting seven goals in just seven Liga appearances this season.
His performance since he rose to limelight has caught global attention, a move that have seen his private life being monitored. The Spanish international is constantly in the headlines, forcing him to navigate a relentless wave of media scrutiny, daily rumours, and unnecessary controversies.
However, Yamal is not prepared to let anything distract him.
The World Cup winner admitted that he has developed a mature approach to the intense spotlight, learning to block out the external noise and focus entirely on his football.
Speaking to L’Equipe, Yamal opened up about his evolving relationship with the press.
Lamine Yamal has continue his scoring streak for Barcelona this season. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
”When I was younger, I didn’t understand,” Yamal explained. “I didn’t understand because most of the controversies or rumours circulating about me are false. It has always been like that with me! I used to say to myself, ‘But I didn’t do that, why are they saying that?’.”
Yamal has now realised that his name alone generates massive commercial interest. He understands that sections of the media will willingly manufacture stories to capitalise on his popularity.
”I realised that in the end, what sells about me, even when I don’t do anything, is inventing things to be able to talk about them,” he noted. “So now, I take it like this: ‘Well, I didn’t know I did that, but hey, it doesn’t matter!’. I always make sure my mother is calm, that she knows I didn’t do it, that it’s false. And if that’s the case, it doesn’t bother me.”
Yamal will be back in action with the Spanish national team, having been named in Luis de la Fuente’s squad for the upcoming international break.
