"I want to have a very long career" - Barcelona star explains reason for snubbing chance to represent country at 2024 Olympics
Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal has explained the reasons for turning down the opportunity to take part in the 2024 Paris Olympics with Spain.
Yamal is currently on international duty with the Spanish national team at the ongoing Euro 2024, but he also has the opportunity of representing his country at the Olympics.
The youngster, however, opted against taking part in the competition, which will feature a couple of his Barcelona teammates, including Fermin Lopez, Paul Cubarsi, and Eric Garcia.
When asked about his decision to opt against taking part in the Olympics despite having the opportunity, Yamal sighted the need to rest so as to come back stronger next season.
Yamal said via Onda Cero:
"The Olympics are one of the biggest things you can play, but I have a significant load of minutes. I want to have a very long career and I would be very angry with myself if something happened to me this year while doubling,”
He continued:
“I think I have time to play them ( ...) Barça told me that it was my decision, but I thought the best thing was to rest and come back better for the next season.”
Lamine Yamal, who turns 17 next month, has already raked in a combined total of 3131 minutes for both Barcelona and Spain this season. The youngster has made a total of 53 appearances for club and country, scoring seven goals and registering eight assists.
Barcelona linked player speaks about his relationship with Lamine Yamal
Nico Williams has spoken about his relationship with Barca and Spanish teammate Yamal amid interest from the Catalan giants.
Both players are currently on international duty with the Spanish national team at the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament, where they've so far made a good impression of themselves.
Williams has often been seen alongside Yamal off the pitch, with reports suggesting that the two youngsters could actually be close friends.
When quizzed about his relationship the Barcelona forward during an interview with La Vanguardia, Williams, said:
"We get along very well. We’re not just team-mates, we’re also friends, and I think that’s something that also matters when it comes to leading a team to the big time."
Speaking further on how his friendship with Yamal started, Williams said:
"Balde is the reason, he was the link between us. The first time we met, Lamine joined Balde and me and after that, we started talking and we saw that we had a lot of similar topics of conversation. That’s also when the banter started and now I think we have a nice relationship.”
Meanwhile, Williams is currently the subject of transfer interest from Yamal's club, Barcelona, this summer. It will be interesting to see if both players will eventually get to reunite at Camp Nou next season.