There are a few rites of passage to becoming an all-time soccer star.
For Spanish phenom teenager Lamine Yamal, it was probably first about a chance meeting with the legendary Lionel Messi when he was just a baby. There was also the added discipline and training necessary to gain skill at the highest levels of the game. Now that Yamal is shining at Euro 2024, sitting with Spain in the semifinals of the prestigious tournament against France, there was one last pivotal box for him to check off.
Making up non-existent critics for extra motivation. Once someone reaches this mental stage as an athlete, you know they’ve made it.
Ahead of Spain’s titanic matchup with the French, Yamal posted a bizarre Instagram story seemingly warning his enemies (?) that’s he watching their every move in measured silence:
Lamine Yamal on his Instagram story ahead of Spain vs. France 👀 pic.twitter.com/aepEJnN1kk
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 9, 2024
Look, I’m not going to tell an athlete how they should approach their own life. Everyone has their own needed process. But I’m really struggling to consider how a 16-year-old electric talent like Yamal has any enemies or detractors at this extremely early stage of his career. Who, in their right mind, hates this kid? I’d venture to guess most people didn’t even know his name until a few weeks ago!
Now, if Yamal reaches his tremendous potential, I have no doubt he will eventually have a group of dedicated haters, especially online. Unfortunately, that’s just how it works. But this idea that people are already incessantly blathering about him and what he can or can’t do is just silly.
Well, at least this lets us know he’s on the right track toward stardom.
UPDATE: It appears Yamal took this motivation, seemingly inspired by France’s Adrien Rabot, and channeled it into becoming the youngest-ever goal-scorer at the European Championships.
NOBODY was stopping this from Lamine Yamal 🚀🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/DY5SHOyTgI
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 9, 2024
Lamine Yamal, take a bow 🇪🇸🙌
With that goal for Spain, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to score in Euros history 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/01Wi0niaTJ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 9, 2024
We are watching one of the most gifted young players ever.
