Yamal cites the importance of playing for Barcelona as he refers to it as a dream

Lamine Yamal says it feels like he’s playing PES when he thinks of his football career

Lamine Yamal says he feels like he is “playing Pro Evolution Soccer” with Barcelona’s teenage sensation setting his sights on winning the treble this season.

The 17-year-old has already made huge strides since making his Barca debut just two years ago, including becoming the youngest player ever to score in LaLiga and the Champions League knockout stages.

Yamal also won the European Championship with Spain last year, with his performances earning him the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy accolades.

The forward has a strong chance of adding to his medal collection in the next few weeks. Barca are four points clear at the LaLiga summit, while having a Copa del Rey final and Champions League quarter-final to look forward to.

Yamal has played a starring role with 13 goals and 19 assists along the way, and he insists the big occasions do not faze him.

“It is like a dream,” he told ESPN. “I still think that. If we reach the final of the Champions League, the final of the Copa del Rey, the World Cup [next year with Spain]… Everything is like a dream.

“It’s as if I’m playing PES. It’s incredible. When you get home, and you say: ‘I played in the final of the Euros …’ It’s incredible.

“I don’t [notice the pressure]. I just try to enjoy myself. I don’t think too much about other things. I also don’t think too much about what I am doing, what I am doing tomorrow, what game I am playing, if it’s more important [than others].

“Obviously, I know I am playing for Barca. I know the importance of that, but I don’t think about pressure. I play, enjoy myself, that’s all.”

Yamal has started the last 21 matches for the Blaugrana, while playing a total of 3,448 minutes in all competitions this season; a tally only bettered by Jules Kounde, Pedri and Raphinha.

He is confident in his side’s chances of going on to achieve the treble, following in the footsteps of the teams that did so in 2009 and 2015 under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique respectively.

“I’m one of those people who always trusts their team,” Yamal added. “From the start of the season, I always aim for the maximum.

“So, if we can win the treble at the start of the season, that’s the aim. It’s no different now. It’s not because of overconfidence or anything like that, it’s because you have to believe in yourself.

“If you are saying that another team is going to win, I don’t know why you go out on to the pitch to play, so we can win the treble. We are Barca. We have already achieved it. Hopefully, we can do it again.”

ALSO READ: Cristiano Ronaldo committed to helping Man Utd

Follow AyeyiBruce for more news