Leave Yamal alone — Mbappe demands privacy for Barcelona's 18-year-old star

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has faced criticism in recent months for his actions away from the pitch, with controversy surrounding his birthday party and widely reported speculation about his personal life.

In a move to mentor the young talent, former teenage phenomenon Kylian Mbappe offered some seasoned advice to the 18-year-old during an upcoming interview with Movistar+, urging Yamal to stay focused on his career.

Mbappé stressed that Yamal’s love for the game is paramount:

“Lamine Yamal has shown he truly loves football, and that passion is something he should never lose. As for his personal life, that’s his own matter.

“People talk a lot about his personal life, but he’s just 18 years old. Everyone at that age makes mistakes and learns from them. What matters is what he does on the pitch. There, he’s already fantastic.”

The France captain concluded by emphasizing the need for focus as Yamal, who is currently sidelined by an injury expected to keep him out for two to three weeks, progresses in his career:

“He’s incredibly talented, and I hope he continues on his path and achieves the success he deserves. He just needs to stay focused on football.”

Despite the distractions, Yamal remains one of the world's most naturally gifted footballers and will be one of the big stars for Spain at the 2026 World Cup.