Lamine Yamal was the standout player in Barcelona's 4-1 victory over Villarreal, scoring his first professional career hat-trick. Yet, despite this breakthrough performance, the 18-year-old forward admitted he struggled earlier in the season with both physical and mental aspects.
Yamal revealed he didn’t feel himself due to a combination of factors, including recovering from pubalgia, which affected his mood and his happiness while playing. This was reflected in his performances and limited enjoyment on the pitch.
He now feels much better and is happy playing again. The player's improvement has also been supported by teammates like Pedri, whose well-timed assist helped set up one of Yamal’s goals.
This episode underscores the need for patience and mental strength among young footballers stepping into regular starting roles or rotation at elite clubs. Yamal illustrates that despite his talents, adapting to high expectations is a process that demands time and hard work. He is now ready to progress and contribute consistently to Barcelona.
