18th birthday wish: Lamine Yamal makes Champions League declaration

Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal made winning the Champions League one of his birthday wishes, stating that he wanted to win the competition as soon as possible.

The now-18-year-old teenager has already won LALIGA, the Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey, European Championship, and Nations League. The World Cup and UCL are two of the major trophies he has yet to win, and he has his heart set on them. 

Yamal turned 18 today, July 13, and has been in a celebratory mood in the past few days. Yesterday, Pulse Sports reported that he was given a Goku-themed birthday cake. 

The Spain international is expected to have an elaborate birthday party, which will precede him inheriting the number 10 jersey at Barcelona. 

Speaking to the club media, he said that he wants to continue winning the trophies he already has in his collection and aims to add the Champions League and World Cup as soon as possible. 

“Turning 18, I wish to achieve everything we had at 16 and 17, with the title we’re missing – the Champions League – and also the World Cup,” he said, per Football Espana. “Those are the ones I’m missing. My mindset tells me I have to go out and win.

“I’m not thinking about how many years I’ve got ahead – I want to win now. I’ll try and give everything to make it happen. I just want to tell the fans that we’ll be there, fighting, and the Champions League will come home. The World Cup, too.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has offered a word of caution to Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, emphasising the demanding nature of maintaining a top-level career over many years.