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Lamine Yamal Holds Prematch Press Conference in Arlington Ahead of Spain-France World Cup Semifinal
Spanish forward Lamine Yamal held a prematch press conference in Arlington, Texas, on Monday, the day after turning 19. He addressed his form, Spain's run to the World Cup semifinals and his growing profile in the United States.
Jul 14, 2:17 AM·1m read1 source
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Lamine Yamal held a prematch press conference in Arlington, Texas, on Monday, the day after turning 19. Spain faces France in a World Cup semifinal the following day. Yamal has one goal and no assists in the tournament.
“Thank you all for coming to my birthday party,” he told reporters. “I’m not concerned with scoring or not scoring,” Yamal said.
“All tournaments are different. It’s not because of the national team coach or tactics that I haven’t scored. ” He added that he wants Spain to advance deep into the competition. After Spain eliminated Belgium, Yamal said France should fear Spain.
“We are European champions and we don’t fear anyone,” he stated. French players and coach Didier Deschamps responded by focusing on Spain’s overall squad strength rather than Yamal individually. Spain has trained in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Yamal said the city has embraced him and that national advertising campaigns have increased his visibility in the United States. “Football has given me the opportunity to become well known in Chattanooga,” he said. Yamal described himself as relaxed on his birthday.
“My little brother wants to cut his hair, so I had to call the hairdresser,” he said.
