Lamine talks Messi, Pedri, Raphinha, Lautaro, Real Madrid ahead of Barcelona vs Inter Milan | OneFootball

Barcelona will lock horns with Inter Milan on Wednesday night in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic.

Having lifted the Copa del Rey this past weekend, the Blaugrana will be in high spirits heading into the match and will look to gain a significant advantage before the second leg in Italy next week.

On the eve of the game, Lamine Yamal joined manager Hansi Flick for the customary pre-match press conference, and shared his excitement as he gets set to play his first Champions League semi-final.

“We are very excited, it’s my first semi-final and for many in the team too. We want to show what we can do and get to the final,” said the teenage sensation.

Lamine was then asked about the interesting Instagram posts he makes leading up to matches.

“I do it because I get bored at home I think. It makes the time go by a bit quicker,” he explained.

Following the Copa del Rey triumph last week, Lamine made pointed remarks at Real Madrid stating that ‘they can’t beat us’ – comments that were not well-received in the Spanish capital.

Responding to that, he clapped back, saying: “As long as I win they can’t tell me anything, when they beat me they can.”

On being asked which of his teammates have surprised him the most on the field, Lamine responded:

“Apart from players like Pedri or Raphinha…. I was also surprised by Inigo and Frenkie de Jong. They are great professionals and are at an incredible level.”

Lamine will be key vs Inter Milan. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The 17-year-old was asked about the kind of legacy he would like to leave behind, to which he replied:

“As a footballer, I want to be remembered as a great player and as a person I want to be polite, which is what my parents taught me at home.”

Talking about the opposition, Inter Milan, and their strengths, the Spain international noted:

“We know that defensively they are very strong and that defence is their biggest weapon. They are also very quick on the counter and they have a good team. We have to play as we always do to get through to the next round.”

On whether he has any fear before facing the Nerazzurri, he replied: “I haven’t had that fear, but I do have the motivation before the game. I left my fear in the park in Mataro a long time ago.”

Inter Milan come into Wednesday’s match having lost three of their last games in domestic competitions. Lamine, though, believes that it will not affect the Nerazzurri, as he remarked:

“With all due respect, I think it has nothing to do with it because you are playing for a Champions League final and it’s not the league.”

Tomorrow’s game will be a special one for Lamine as he will be making his 100th appearance for Barcelona.

“I think that at my age few players have played as many games as me at Barça and I’ll keep that. I value being always motivated and the continuity I have and the level at which I am at 17 years old, because not just anyone can do that,” he said.

On his age and accomplishments this early in his career, the youngster stated: “There is no age for football. It’s a sport that depends on the quality and the head of each player. We are playing at a very high level with a very young team. Age is just a number.”

Talking about the Copa del Rey final last Saturday and whether there was a lot of pressure going into the game, Lamine said:

“I wouldn’t call it pressure. In the end, I go out to enjoy myself, I take it as a good thing and I feel I have to enjoy the moment.”

Set for his 100th appearance. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Continuing, he added: “It’s true that the last day was one of the hardest for us physically. In the end, between the tension of the game and knowing what we were playing for, our legs couldn’t take it any more.

“When you play against Madrid, your heart is more important than your legs and that’s what we’re having this season and maybe that’s what we lacked in others.”

The youngster then spoke about him being compared to Lionel Messi and whether he has had any interaction with the Barcelona legend, saying:

“I don’t compare myself to anyone and even less to Messi, I leave that to you. It doesn’t make sense. I try to enjoy myself and go my own way. I haven’t spoken to him.”

Regarding the fact that Messi has not scored against Inter, he said: “The fact that Messi hasn’t scored against Inter… for sure he’s missed this team with all the teams he’s scored against. I hope I can score”.

On being probed if this was the ‘Lamine era’ at Barça, the teenager replied: “I hope it’s Barça’s era, not Lamine’s. I hope it’s the era of Barça, not Lamine.”

When asked to name the Inter Milan players he follows, the La Masia gem said: “Well, I like Barella and Lautaro a lot. When they have the ball they know how to play very well and in defence, they defend very well. It’s a team I like to watch.”

The Spaniard also shared his admiration for Barcelona captain Raphinha, shedding light on how the Brazilian has been helping him.

“It was a very big message…. It was personal and something that only he knew. He is a very important person, a veteran with a lot of experience. All the young players can do with a player like that in the dressing room,” he said.

Finally, talking about the commitment of this youthful Barcelona side, Lamine noted: “When we were kids we experienced what Barça was like.

“In the end we don’t play just to be footballers, but because we want Barça to win, it’s not the same as people who come from outside. We’ve been playing derbies and defending these colours since we were kids.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo