At 18 years old, Lamine Yamal is already one of the most confident voices in soccer. He’s not just starring for Spain at the 2026 World Cup, he’s out here recruiting for Barcelona in between media obligations.
Sitting down with COPE and Cadena SER from Spain’s base in Chicago, Yamal was asked about the kind of striker Barcelona should sign this summer after Robert Lewandowski’s exit. He didn’t hold back.
‘Which striker would I sign for Barça? I don’t know. As long as he scores goals!’ he said with a grin. ‘I really like Julian (Alvarez) and Mikel (Oyarzabal).’
Yamal gives Alvarez a full-court press
Alvarez is Barcelona’s top target this window. And Yamal made it crystal clear he wants him. When asked directly about the Atletico Madrid forward, the teenager opened up.
‘He’s a great player. If he comes, we’ll welcome him with open arms. He’d be joining the best club in the world, with the best fans in the world, in what I consider to be the best city in the world,’ Yamal said. ‘If I were him, I’d do it. We’re waiting for him if he wants to come — go for it.’
That’s about as close to a public endorsement as you’ll get from a current player. And it’s not just talk. Yamal has the kind of pull inside that dressing room that most teenagers couldn’t dream of.
But he also made sure to point out that recruitment isn’t his job. ‘That’s Deco’s job, and he’s doing it very well. We’ll support whoever comes in and we’ll be very happy with him,’ Yamal added.
Deco’s shopping list includes more than one name
Deco has been working this one for a while. Alvarez is seen as the ideal long-term option up front, but Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad is also on the table. Yamal gave both players a mention, but the Alvarez segment was noticeably longer and more personal.
Whether Barcelona actually lands Alvarez depends on a lot of things — transfer fees, player willingness, Atletico’s stance. But if Yamal has anything to say about it, the pitch is already rolled out.
The kid is playing at a World Cup, talking to the media like a veteran, and openly lobbying for a World Cup-winning teammate to join him at Camp Nou. Not bad for a teenager who only just became old enough to drive legally in Spain.
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