Lamine Yamal continues to make headlines even during his time off. The young FC Barcelona star has taken advantage of the summer break to travel to Brazil, where he reunited with one of his biggest football idols: Neymar Jr.. The two have shared some leisure moments that quickly caught the attention of fans on social media.

Vacation days filled with sand, football, and social media

This Thursday, Neymar posted a photo on his Instagram account showing Lamine Yamal playing futvolley on the beach in Rio de Janeiro. Shortly after, the Barça player reshared the post, confirming that they are spending a few vacation days together. Their bond goes beyond the pitch: Lamine has often spoken about his admiration for the Brazilian, even imitating his style — such as when he dyed his hair blonde before a cup final with Barça.

After spending time on the Italian coast and surfing with a three-time world champion, the young winger continues to enjoy his break before returning for preseason under new manager Hansi Flick, set to begin on July 13 — which also happens to be his 18th birthday.

Competitive spirit and strong self-belief

Much like on the field, Lamine Yamal stays true to himself off it. His competitive personality and outspoken nature spark both admiration and debate. During the recent Nations League, ahead of the match against France, he made a bold remark involving Ousmane Dembélé and the Ballon d'Or. He then backed up his words on the pitch, scoring twice in Spain’s thrilling 5–4 win over the French side.

In the Inside Barça documentary, Yamal shared his ambition to keep growing and win major titles. "At 18, I demand everything I did at 16 and 17, plus the title I'm missing and the World Cup. I tell the Barça fans that we will fight and the Champions League will return," he stated.

The Esplugues de Llobregat native is fully confident in his development. He believes that his youth and ongoing physical growth will allow him to further distance himself from his opponents. Meanwhile, his outspoken and spontaneous nature continues to draw attention both on and off the field.

Lamine Yamal is enjoying an active summer alongside one of his idols, staying true to who he is. With the new season approaching, all signs point to him remaining one of football’s most exciting young talents.