I play football for fun, not Money — Yamal

Barcelona's Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal (L) celebrates scoring his team's third goal with Barcelona's Spanish midfielder #16 Fermin Lopez during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Oviedo at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on January 25, 2026. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)

Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal says his motivation for playing football goes beyond money, goals and assists, insisting that he simply plays because he enjoys the game.

Yamal, speaking to The Guardian on Saturday said he does not want to become obsessed with personal statistics, explaining that the joy of football comes from being creative and helping his teammates.

“I don’t play football for money, I play because I like it,” Yamal said.

“Players who are obsessed with goals or assists do not enjoy. I play for fun, to dribble, to play one touch, two, to make a teammate who has not scored, score, for happiness,” he added.

The teenager also reflected on his interaction with Lionel Messi, revealing that he approached the Argentine star simply to thank him for his contribution to football.

• Thousands march in Madrid over eviction of 87-year-old woman
• Spain city bans burqa, niqab in public spaces
• Palmer misses ‘too many’ England games, says Tuchel

“I went to Leo Messi and said: thank you,” Yamal said.

“I just thanked him a lot for everything he has done and how he’s the best. I’ve always believed he is the best,” he noted.

Yamal added that the moment was not planned for publicity and came naturally after seeing Messi.

“I always try to distance myself a little from things that seem beautiful for show. The moment came from within. I saw him there, so I went to thank him for what he did for football, it came spontaneously,” he said.

For Yamal, the comments underline a desire to preserve the enjoyment and spontaneity that drew him to football in the first place, rather than allowing statistics or attention surrounding the game to become his main focus.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.