Ahead of Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, Barcelona’s young talent, Lamine Yamal, has shared his thoughts on following in the footsteps of club legends Lionel Messi and Neymar. The 16-year-old forward, who has quickly made a name for himself, reflected on his unexpected rise in football.

Yamal expressed how surreal it feels to now be an inspiration to young fans—something he never imagined would happen so fast. Growing up, he idolized Messi and Neymar, wearing their jerseys while dreaming of reaching their level. Now, he finds himself in the same position, with kids wearing his own shirt.

“It’s incredible. When I was a kid, I wore Neymar’s shirts, Messi’s jerseys, and all these players' shirts,” Yamal shared. “Now, seeing kids wearing my shirt means that I’m their inspiration, at least in football.”

He continued, “It’s amazing to see 13-year-olds wearing the shirt of a kid who’s only four years older than them.”

Yamal also spoke about how his mother always reminds him to appreciate the significance of his rise. “My mom always tells me to think about the significance—that it doesn’t happen to just anyone. Going somewhere and seeing a kid wearing your shirt is something that makes me very happy,” he explained. “It’s one of the things I like most.”

These reflections show Yamal’s maturity and awareness of the responsibility that comes with his rapid success. As he prepares for the Copa del Rey final, he is eager to prove himself on a major stage. With his impressive performances so far, it’s clear that Yamal has a bright future ahead at Barcelona.