Lamine Yamal Opens Up on Criticism: "Winning Makes Everything Hurt Less"

Spain's teenage star says outside criticism has never distracted him during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that victories are the best answer to his doubters.

Lamine Yamal isn't losing sleep over the criticism

At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal has become one of the biggest stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With that spotlight has come increased scrutiny, but the Spain winger says he has learned how to separate genuine support from outside noise.

In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Yamal explained that he chooses to focus on those who believe in him rather than on the people waiting for him to make a mistake.

For the Barcelona star, criticism is simply part of life when expectations continue to rise.

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Yamal acknowledged that many people believe Spain's World Cup hopes depend heavily on his performances, something reinforced by comments from captain Rodri, who recently said he hopes the teenager proves he is one of the world's best in the biggest matches.

Rather than feeling overwhelmed, Yamal embraced that responsibility.

He said it is gratifying to know that teammates, coaches and supporters trust him, adding that he views those expectations as motivation instead of pressure.

"Criticism motivates me"

The young forward admitted there are always people hoping he fails, but insisted those opinions never change his mindset.

Instead, he sees criticism as another source of motivation and believes performances on the pitch ultimately silence the doubters.

"There are days when you wonder why people are saying certain things," Yamal explained. "But when you're playing well, everyone has to stay quiet."

Asked whether any criticism has genuinely hurt him, his answer was simple: victories make everything easier to handle.

Still chasing a higher level

Despite already establishing himself as one of Spain's most influential players, Yamal believes he is still far from reaching his full potential.

The winger described himself as extremely demanding and admitted he is never completely satisfied with his performances, whether for Spain or Barcelona.

According to Yamal, he has not yet reached the level he expects from himself, making continuous improvement his biggest goal as Spain continues its pursuit of World Cup glory.