Lamine Yamal was back in the headlines, though this time far away from the pitch. In an interview packed with personal confessions, the FC Barcelona jewel opened up about his younger brother, Keyne Yamal, dropping a statement that quickly captured the attention of football fans worldwide.

The Spain national team forward made it clear that the youngster has practically already decided which jersey he will represent on the international stage when the time comes to choose.

“I think he knows he’s going to play for Spain. I don’t know if he knows exactly what a World Cup is, but he knows he’s going to play for Spain,” the footballer commented with a laugh.

However, what truly ignited the debate across social media platforms was another revelation. Among Keyne’s footballing idols, Lionel Messi—the greatest icon in recent Barcelona history—is nowhere to be found. Instead, a figure who headlined one of the most intense rivalries in sports history takes center stage.

Keyne’s unexpected fandom for Cristiano Ronaldo

When asked about the players his brother admires, the La Masia graduate surprised everyone by revealing a list of names that includes several current stars of the Catalan club.

“He likes Neymar, he likes Pedri, he likes Raphinha, he likes me… And well, and Cristiano Ronaldo,” Yamal confessed.

The mention of Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t take long to trigger reactions among Culé fans, especially given the historic rivalry the Portuguese star maintained with Lionel Messi during his era in Spain. The young winger’s confession quickly fueled the eternal debate between followers of both legends.

The Injury That Made Lamine Yamal Fear for the 2026 World Cup

Beyond the family anecdotes, Yamal also addressed one of the topics deeply concerning Spanish fans: the muscular injury he recently sustained, which threw his presence at the World Cup into serious doubt.

The winger admitted he experienced moments of pure uncertainty, dealing with a type of physical discomfort he had never felt before, to the point where he genuinely thought he might be left out of the tournament.

“I had never had a hamstring injury like that before, but I knew the recovery wasn’t going to be fast,” he explained. “I was scared it would be something serious or that I’d relapse and miss the World Cup.”

Fortunately for Spain, the player’s progression has been highly favorable. Medical reports indicate he will be recovered in time to lead La Roja‘s attack on football’s grandest stage.

The Spanish national team was drawn into Group H of the 2026 World Cup, where they will square off against Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde in search of a spot in the knockout rounds.