​Lamine Yamal underscored his focus on team success rather than personal numbers, saying that if Spain lift the World Cup, his lack of goals will be overlooked. The 18-year-old forward again failed to find the net as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals on Friday, a result that kept their title bid alive and booked a semi-final date with France. While many of this tournament’s stars—Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane—have netted frequently, Yamal has managed only one goal so far, coming in a straightforward 4-0 group-stage victory over Saudi Arabia.
“I obviously want to score, but I don’t go on the pitch thinking about that. I play to help the team,” Yamal said after the win in Los Angeles. “If we win the World Cup, no one will remember whether I scored goals… the important thing is winning.” The Barcelona teenager also emphasized that he can contribute even without finding the back of the net, noting that his movements can pull defenders away and create space for teammates, something he is committed to doing to support the squad.
Yamal’s ascent has followed a meteoric rise since his breakout at just 16 during Spain’s European Championship triumph two years ago. He contributed only one goal during that Euros campaign, delivering a memorable strike in the 2-1 semi-final victory over France. “There’s a sense that I should be scoring more, like at the Euros, but we won the Euros with me scoring just one goal. And I’ve got one goal here too, so I’m relaxed about it,” he said with a smile.
As Spain look to overcome their tournament favorites, France, speculation will continue about whether Yamal can add more goals to his tally before the campaign ends. The plan, he suggested, is simple: stay fearless and continue making an impact in other facets of the game. “There are two possibilities—either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times in a row. We’ll see what happens,” the young forward stated. “We aren’t afraid at all.”