Barcelona will “of course” win La Liga despite their poor form, Lamin Yamal said, adding that he expects to sign new terms at the club “soon”.
Having won Euro 2024 with Spain a day after turning 17 in July, Yamal, whose current contract runs until 2026, was hugely influential as Barcelona raced clear at the top of the table at the start of his first season under the German. Hansi Flick.
Four defeats and one win in seven league matches left them five points behind leaders Real Madrid and three behind Atletico Madrid, and they picked up one point during the three league matches that Yamal missed with an ankle injury.
“Barcelona is the club of my life,” Yamal told CNN. “I don’t know when (I will sign a new contract), but I think it will be soon. I hope to renew my contract and be with them for as long as possible. I want to play in La Liga. I want to renew my contract and I will do it.”
“I think it will be soon.” 🙏
Lamine Yamal talks about the date of signing his new contract with Barcelona ✍️
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🎙️ @AmandaCNN pic.twitter.com/u73IsOF0yC— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 8, 2025
Yamal Barcelona statistics
Yamal has registered nine assists in the league this season, which is three more than teammate Rafinha, the player with the second most goals in Spain.
Only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, 13, and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, 10, have more assists in Europe's top five leagues, while Yamal has also scored five goals, although he has not scored since. Barcelona won 4-0 over Madrid on October 26.
Barcelona raised its score to 15 points from six matches Champions League stage Placing them second behind Liverpool and on course for an automatic place in the knockout stage, Yamal believes Flick's side can have “the best year of our lives” by winning multiple trophies over the rest of the season.
“Hansi is a different coach, the playing style is different,” Yamal said of the former Germany and Bayern Munich coach, who is taking on his first job outside his homeland.
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 8, 2025
“We have sought to adapt to what he told us and I think we are doing that well. The league will be won against teams we have previously lost to.
“It's about focus; we have shown, in the important moments, that we are the best, and we will continue to do so.
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao
Flick hopes Yamal will return against Athletic Bilbao in the league Spanish Super Cup The semi-finals will be held at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday (7pm GMT).
If they win, Barcelona will meet Real Madrid or Mallorca at the same venue in the final on Sunday (7pm).
Their next match will be at home against Real Betis in the round of 16 of the King's Cup on January 15.
