Lamine Yamal elated after scoring first career hat-trick in Barcelona 4-1 Villarreal: ‘Feeling very good and enjoying myself’ | OneFootball

Barcelona breezed past Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday evening, taking back a provisional four-point lead at the top of the table and keeping the momentum ahead of the big cup game midweek.

The star of the night was none other than Lamine Yamal who recorded his first-ever career hat-trick and led the team to the three points single-handedly.

What made the night more special was the fact that all of the teenager’s goals came from open play with tricky finishes, especially the second goal in which he made his way into the box and beat the goalkeeper from a near-impossible angle.

Yamal’s post-match reaction

Speaking to the media after the game, the hat-trick hero opened up on how he felt after his historic night against Villarreal.

“I’m very happy with the victory and the three goals. The key is to stay calm. It was about waiting for Cardona to come toward me and for the finish to go in,” he said.

He then spoke on the high expectations placed on him at such a young age and what he made of all the criticism.

“People want me to score 100 goals at 16 years old, I’d like that too, but it’s very difficult.”

Unstoppable. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Yamal then went on to reveal how he was not enjoying the game as he should have at the beginning of the season and how his recent successes are no coincidence.

“A few months ago I didn’t feel good playing, it wasn’t just the pubalgia, I wasn’t happy. Now I’m feeling very good and enjoying myself.”

The man of the match also opened up on being taken off from the game relatively early and revealed how he had an agreement with Hansi Flick.

“The substitution was agreed if the team scored, but on top of that I scored myself, so both things happened.”

Finally, he was asked if a comeback over Atletico Madrid midweek was possible, to which he maintained his composure and belief.

“The comeback is possible. We will give everything, we need the support of the fans, but it’s possible.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo