Lamine Yamal: I knew an important goal was coming for Barcelona
Lamine Yamal: I knew an important goal was coming for Barcelona
Lamine Yamal: I knew an important goal was coming for Barcelona
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal believes a message has been fired to their La Liga title rivals.
La Blaugrana now head into the March international break back on top of the table ahead of Real Madrid on head-to-head record.
Advertisement
Hansi Flick's team produced an incredible late performance at Atletico Madrid to seal a 4-2 fightback win at Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona were trailing 2-0 heading into the final 20 minutes but the tie was flipped on its head as Diego Simeone's team were unable to react.
Robert Lewandowski and substitute Ferran Torres quickly dragged the contest to 2-2 to leave th home crowd in shock.
Barcelona star Ferran Torres
However, just as the game appeared to be heading for a battling draw in the capital, Lamine Yamal's long range rocket deflected past Jan Oblak to trigger wild scenes for the visitors.
Torres added his second goal deep into added time on a sensational night in a thrilling title race.
Advertisement
Lamine Yamal admitted the players were celebrating in the dressing room, as he emerged for his post match interview, with a beaming smile for the cameras.
Despite his brilliant assist record of 11 so far in league action this season, the 17-year-old has been without a goal in La Liga since October.
A typically confident Lamine Yamal claimed he knew he would return to the goal trail when his team needed him most.
'I'm very happy with the win. It was a very important match, and getting three points is the most important thing, so I'm happy,' he said.
'Robert's first goal was important, and then Ferran's goal because it was the equaliser, after that, my goal and Ferran's fourth came naturally.
'I knew when I scored again in La Liga, it would be in an important match. Ultimately I don't care about not scoring as long as the team wins.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Yamal and Ronaldo set for generations duel in Nations League final
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures during the UEFA Nations League semi final soccer match between Germany and Portugal at Allianz Arena. Christian Charisius/dpa Sunday's Nations League final between Spain and Portugal is more than a generation duel between Lamine Yamal and Cristiano Ronaldo but the two players separated by 23 years will be getting most of attention. At this mini tournament, Ronaldo scored Portugal's 2-1 winner against hosts Germany in Wednesday's semi-final. Advertisement The next day, Yamal netted a brace as Spain held off France 5-4 in a thriller. Impressive numbers Now they go head to head on Sunday in Munich where Yamal aims to add a second national team trophy to that from Euro 2024 before turning 18 next month. Ronaldo wants to prove that he can still lift silverware at age 40 and at the same time further stretch his appearance and scoring world records which currently stand at 220 caps and 137 goals, respectively. Ronaldo has won countless trophies for clubs and country and is a five-time Ballon d'Or winner while Yamal is tipped as a future winner of the top individual prize, possibly already this year. Advertisement "Cristiano Ronaldo is a legend and I have huge respect but I'll do my job and try to win on Sunday," Yamal said. Yamal's magic touch Yamal dazzled at last year's Euros and has also had a another strong season at domestic treble winners Barcelona. "He has been touched by God's magic wand," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente recently told Germany's Süddeutsche Zeitung while also praising the youngster's maturity and work ethic. De la Fuente said Yamal has all it takes to become a legend like Ronaldo, and team-mates have full confidence in him which shows when he gets the ball from elder players in any situation. Advertisement Spain will be bidding for a third title in as many years, after Nations League success in 2023 and Euro 2024 glory. For Portugal and Ronaldo, success on Sunday would be a third title overall, the others being at Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League. Ronaldo still hungry Ronaldo would have every excuse to call it a day on his playing career when his contract at Saudi club Al Nassr expires at the end of June. There has been occasional talk about his future in the national team, but midfielder Bernardo Silva insisted on Wednesday that "We are happy to have him with us" as he praised "his ambition to keep going." After all, there is a another World Cup around the corner next year - and speculation whether Ronaldo can reach 150 Portugal goals and 1,000 in overall official career matches.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Barcelona transfers: Which players are most likely to leave this summer?
Barcelona are set for another interesting summer, with the desire to strengthen Hansi Flick's squad likely to meet some familiar complications. First of all, the club's long-running adventures in navigating La Liga's spending rules will undoubtedly play a prominent role (and for the latest on Barca's financial situation, follow this link). Advertisement Meanwhile, their major opening move of the transfer window is in pursuit of Espanyol's Joan Garcia. That Barca want to sign their city rivals' goalkeeper raises the question: what future role for club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen? Might they try to move the German on? Let's start this list of the Barca players most likely to be sold this summer with a look at that very man. The situation around Ter Stegen could become one of the biggest sagas of Barcelona's summer. Barca want to sign Garcia, 24, to become their new starting goalkeeper. That questions Ter Stegen's place at the club. The 33-year-old German was voted Barca's captain last year and has a contract up until 2028. When he extended in 2023 — having hugely impressed as Xavi's team won La Liga — he agreed to salary deferrals that would help the club in meeting more immediate La Liga salary limit demands. This week, Ter Stegen spoke at a news conference before Germany's Nations League semi-final with Portugal (they lost 2-1 on Wednesday) and was asked about his position at Barca. He said he has no intention of leaving. 'Nobody at the club spoke with me about this situation, so I'm not worried,' he said. 'I know I will be at Barcelona next season.' Senior club sources — who, like all those consulted for this article, preferred to speak anonymously to protect their positions — say their desired plan for next season is to have Garcia as No 1. They also want Wojciech Szczesny, who has been offered a new two-year deal, as backup. They would like to sell Ter Stegen, but are also equally aware the German is entitled to stick with his current deal. In the article available through the link below, we cover the background to this situation in more detail, including the echoes it has with Barca's previous attempts to sell senior players, such as Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha. And we are expecting more developments to follow. After a season in which he played just 298 minutes across 11 appearances, Ansu Fati has accepted that looking for a new start will be the best decision for his career. His contract at Barcelona has an impact, though. Now 22, Fati's deal with the club runs until 2027, and his yearly salary of around €7million after tax (£5.9; $8m at current rates) is out of reach for the European clubs he is expected to interest. That leaves both player and club facing the likely outcome of a loan. Both parties are open to it, while Barcelona are also conscious they might have to keep paying a share of Fati's salary. Monaco have, so far, shown the clearest interest in Fati, who played most of the 2023-24 campaign in a disappointing loan spell at Brighton. Monaco have been in talks with Barcelona and the expectation at the Spanish club is for a temporary switch to be finalised in the coming weeks. Advertisement The 26-year-old goalkeeper is pretty much guaranteed to be sold this summer. Although Barca were happy with Pena's contributions throughout last season, he lost his place in Flick's starting line-up to Szczesny. Now, Barcelona have Marc-Andre ter Stegen back — and they are also looking to sign Garcia from Espanyol. Both club and player agree that the best solution for Pena is to find a new home where he can play regular first-team football. Barcelona won't make it hard for him to leave. He still has a year to run on his current deal and the expectation is that he will leave for a relatively low transfer fee, or even on a free, with Barca keen to secure a sell-on clause. Multiple La Liga clubs have reportedly expressed an interest in Pena, including Real Betis, Valencia and Celta Vigo. Galatasaray, where he played on loan back in 2023, are also in the mix. There is undoubtedly talent there, but Pablo Torre's favoured position of attacking midfield is extremely crowded at Barca and it won't get better anytime soon. All scenarios are open with the 22-year-old, from a permanent sale to a loan, although the latter is perhaps what makes more sense right now. There is a feeling at the club that Torre has the talent to break out into a regular first-team option at some point and Barca do not want to lose track of him. However, he is currently only under contract until 2026. The player's camp has been in contact with several clubs around Europe and the Middle East to let them know Torre is available. When Araujo signed a contract extension up to 2031 in January, it included a €60m release clause. The Uruguayan 26-year-old had just rejected a move to Juventus, but covered himself with a reachable exit fee in case he was not happy with his situation at Barca by the summer. Advertisement Well, his position now is not the greatest. After returning from a hamstring injury, Araujo failed to establish himself as a starting centre-back in the second half of last season. He was also heavily criticised over his performance against Inter in the second leg of Barca's Champions League semi-final defeat. Despite this, sources from the player's camp say Araujo does not intend to leave this summer. He is ready to stay and work to challenge for a place in Flick's line-up. Barca would surely be open to a sale if a decent offer were to arrive, but with a new deal signed in January and Araujo determined to remain at the club, it is unlikely he will leave. There is a similar situation with Christensen. The 29-year-old missed much of the season through injury and when he returned, he found himself unable to break into the starting XI. But he is content with life in Barcelona and is happy to stay. However, the difference with Christensen is that his contract expires next year. Talks over a new deal have not begun, but Barca's executives would prefer not to start the new season with any players in the final 12 months of their contracts. Even still, the most likely scenario, as of now, is for Christensen to stay. Barca sporting director Deco and manager Flick have not hidden their intentions to bolster the attacking line. Both mentioned Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford by name in recent press conferences — and this week Barca's interest in Diaz was rebuffed by Liverpool. Last season, Flick felt Barca lacked strength in depth up front when Robert Lewandowski was injured. That does not leave 23-year-old Pau Victor in a good place, as he was available to step in. Barcelona do not want to lose him, though, and the most likely scenario, should a new winger arrive, would see him leaving on loan. Victor will have plenty of suitors in La Liga. He has understood his role as a backup in Flick's team, while also feeling frustrated with his lack of regular football. Advertisement Barcelona's hope is that, even if he can't be involved with the first team right now, Victor can still become a valuable player for the club and gain more market value if he has a successful loan. He is under contract until 2029. Barcelona have actually secured some income via a few sales already. Como already met the €6m release clause in the contract of 21-year-old full-back Alex Valle, who had been on loan at the Italian club. Meanwhile, West Ham's €39m signing of 25-year-old defender Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice means Barcelona are set to earn €7.8m. Barca sold Todibo to Nice in 2021 and inserted a 20 per cent sell-on clause in that deal.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea and Napoli most likely destinations for €55m target on Atletico Madrid shortlist
Manchester United are in the process of another rebuild this summer under Ruben Amorim, and Alejandro Garnacho will not be a part of it. The two have something of a fraught relationship, execerbated by the Argentine's place on the bench in the Europa League final. The Red Devils are in need of funds for their rebuild, and Garnacho is one of the sources of fundraising they hope to be able to count on, with Antony another. According to Caught Offside, Manchester United will be asking for €55m for the signature of the 20-year-old. This season he made a total of 58 appearances, scoring 11 goals and giving 10 assists. Chelsea and Napoli most interested in Garnacho Caught Offside go on to cite Chelsea and Napoli as the two sides that have shown the strongest interest in Garnacho. The former are looking at him as an option, but are also seriously considering a move for Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens. Meanwhile Napoli were interested in a move for Garnacho in January, and are yet to spend the €70m that they received for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the winter transfer window. Garnacho has fallen out of favour at Manchester United. Atletico Madrid monitoring Garnacho situation Their information is that Atletico Madrid are one of three further sides that are keeping a close eye on how things develop, alongside AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen, where his former manager Erik ten Hag has just taken over. Garnacho one of several names being looked at Atletico Madrid appear to be prioritising moves for Alex Baena of Villarreal, for whom an agreement is close, and Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero. If Baena does arrive at Atletico, it may reduce United's chances of selling Garnacho to Atletico, given he provides a creative presence that generally likes to cut in from the left. Garnacho can play both sides of the pitch, but it would be two significant investments.
