The player who is hard for me to love, but impossible to stop appreciating | User Column
His provocations, political views, and statements alienate many fans, but when the ball is at his feet, it is impossible to argue with his rare talent. Why, despite everything, I want to see Lamine Yamal continue to break records. Do you have something to say? Send your columns to: kick@ynet.co.il
Lamine Yamal is a player who sparks constant controversy — regarding the side he chose, the flag he waved, his arrogance, and his pride. But I prefer to look at his professional side, the side that recognizes what a great player he is already at this age. Lamine Yamal is at the top of the world at just 19. He has achieved almost everything, with about 20 years of his career still ahead of him.
Winning the Euro and the World Cup in his first three years is simply excessive! Add to that three Spanish league titles, in which he was a dominant and significant player. While he didn't lead the team to these two major tournament victories alone, he was a crucial part of them. After two tremendous seasons at Barcelona and with the Spanish national team, Lamine achieved the dream of every footballer — a dream that players greater than him labored for over 20 years to reach, and for some, even that was not enough. He achieved all of this almost immediately.
This player, who is only a few months older than me, makes me wonder what I am doing with my life. But I don't really care. I enjoy it as long as he is on the pitch. I find myself debating: on one hand, as an Israeli facing his political views, and on the other, as a Barca fan who wants success for him and the team.
People might get annoyed by what I am about to say, but I want to see him continue to star in world football. I want to see him continue to succeed, break records, and excel again and again. I want to see where else he can reach. What will happen if next year he wins the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or? What will be left for him to do in this game? We will find out. Unlike many, I want to look at him not from a political perspective, but from the perspective of the game. For the sake of football (and Barca, of course), the world needs Lamine Yamal to remain at the top. He can break records that no one ever dreamed would be broken.
I don't care if he continues to spark provocations or engage in trash-talk. I know that not everyone will love him, especially Israelis. But I feel differently. He is still a child, like me. Maybe he doesn't know what he is saying or doing, or maybe he does — but it doesn't matter. As long as he continues to make me smile when I see him on the pitch, I want to continue seeing him score, assist, and dance.
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