Lamine Yamal Turns 19 Ahead of Spain’s World Cup Semi-Final Against France
Lamine Yamal marked his 19th birthday in characteristic fashion on Tuesday — with a training session, a haircut appointment for his three-year-old brother Keyne, and a pre-match press conference in which he was the undisputed main attraction.
According to The Guardian, the Barcelona winger arrived at the World Cup semi-final press conference pulling back his tracksuit to reveal a large white gold and diamond chain, quickly clarifying — with a grin — that he had bought it himself, so it didn’t technically count as a birthday present. When asked what gift he actually wanted, he kept it simple: a win against France on Wednesday, which would send Spain to a final in New York.
“What I want as a present is a win,” he told reporters, before adding that a trip to New York would be a welcome bonus should Spain get through.
Any suggestion that the occasion might weigh on his young shoulders was firmly dismissed. “Pressure? No,” Yamal said, adding that “there are much harder things in life than a football match.” His coach Luis de la Fuente had urged him to enjoy the moment and shed any anxiety, but Yamal appeared to need little encouragement. He had reportedly requested to take part in the press conference himself, arriving at ease and in good humour throughout.
De la Fuente was equally upbeat about what lies ahead for his star player. “He’s 19, madre mia,” the Spain head coach said. “Lamine’s great day is still to come at this World Cup. I hope it’s tomorrow and, if not, in the final.”
Yamal has history in this fixture. He has scored against France in each of their two previous meetings, when he was 16 and 17 respectively. Having netted just once so far in the tournament, he was asked whether he could produce again at the crucial moment. His reply was measured but pointed: “You lot say I am not at my best level, so you don’t need to expect anything from me tomorrow. But I hope it will be a special day.”
He also used the occasion to respond to comments made by former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy in a World Cup column, without naming him directly. Rajoy had written that France were good but not genuinely French — a remark Yamal brushed aside with a straightforward defence of football’s role in integration. “If football serves any purpose it is for integration,” he said. “That’s what football is for.”
With Spain chasing a place in the final, keep up with all the action via our World Cup 2026 hub and live standings.