Lamine Yamal looks to LeBron James for motivation as he plans his return to Barcelona.
Lamine Yamal is drawing motivation from LeBron James as he aims to guide Barcelona to a comeback victory in the Champions League quarterfinal against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.
After Barça’s 2-0 loss in the first leg last week at Spotify Camp Nou, a meme reemerged that referenced the James-led Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA Finals comeback from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors 4-3.
The meme features an image of James with the caption, “No team in NBA Finals history has come back from trailing 3-1 (0-32).”
The popular Barça adaptation states, “FC Barcelona have never defeated Atlético in the Champions League over two legs,” with Yamal acknowledging the trend earlier this week by updating his Instagram profile picture to that of basketball star James.
“LeBron is one of the references that is motivating me for the match,” Yamal stated in a news conference on Monday when asked about his new profile image.
“I chose it as my photo for that reason. I am reflecting on how he accomplished it [in 2016] and hoping for a similar outcome for us.”
Yamal will be a key figure at the Metropolitano as Barça seeks to overcome a two-goal deficit to secure a semifinal spot against either Arsenal or Sporting Clube.
The 18-year-old has netted 22 goals and provided 18 assists in 43 appearances this season and claims he is unfazed by the expectations placed on him at such a young age.
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“Since childhood, I have taken on significant responsibility, so I am accustomed to it,” he added.
“I don’t view it as a problem. It’s a strength. I enjoy playing alongside my teammates, and fortunately, I am part of Barcelona, where we have world-class players—both veterans and young talents—throughout the squad.
“So it’s not solely about me. However, if that is the case, I don’t mind [taking on a leadership role], but it’s about the team. And I have complete faith in the team.”
Tuesday’s match will mark the sixth encounter between Barça and Atlético this season. Barça triumphed in both LaLiga matches but suffered a 4-0 defeat in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg in Madrid earlier this year. They fell short in the return match, narrowly winning 3-0.
The challenge is somewhat less daunting this time, with Barça trailing 2-0 instead of 4-0, although they will be playing away.
“We must do what we have done all season: fight for the badge and give our all,” Yamal stated.
“We need to play as we know how. We must maintain our intensity without sacrificing our style of play; that is crucial.
“We cannot assume we need a miracle to turn this around. It’s just one game. We understand it starts at 2-0, but we will play our way and give everything we have.”
Barça coach Hansi Flick recognized the challenging task ahead but expressed confidence that his team can achieve the necessary result to stay in the competition.
“It’s tough for us, but I believe in my team that we can make it happen,” he remarked.
“It’s possible. Why not? I know we are up against a strong team with fantastic players, so we need a solid and stable defense, but we must also be bold in attack: press and attack.
“We may need to capitalize on every opportunity. When you look at the last game, that was the difference. Perhaps tomorrow will be entirely different, and the momentum will shift in our favor.”
Barça will be without the injured Raphinha and Andreas Christensen, while Pau Cubarsí is suspended after receiving a red card in the first leg.
Marc Bernal remains uncertain despite traveling with the team, but Flick indicated that Frenkie de Jong could make his first start since February after returning as a substitute over the weekend.
