The Albany Gazette - My goals don't matter if we win World Cup, says Yamal

At a tournament where stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have been prolific, 18-year-old Yamal has just one goal to date, in a routine 4-0 group drubbing of Saudi Arabia.

"Obviously I want to score, but I don't go onto the pitch thinking about that. I do it thinking about helping the team," said Yamal.

"If we win the World Cup, no one will remember whether I scored goals... the important thing is winning," said the Barcelona star, after the victory in Los Angeles set up a semi-final clash with France.

"I know I can contribute even if I don't score. I know my movements draw in many opponents, so I do everything I can to help the team," he said.

Then just 16, Yamal was the breakout star of the Spanish team that won the European Championships two years ago.

He only scored once during that victorious campaign -- a stunning strike in a 2-1 semi-final win against France.

"There's an idea that I should be scoring more, like at the Euros, but we won the Euros with me scoring just one goal. And I have one goal here too, so I'm relaxed about it," he said, with a smile.

But Spain will be hoping Yamal, who turns 19 the day before the semi-final, can bag further goals if his side are to see off the free-scoring tournament favorites France.

"There are two possibilities -- either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times in a row. We'll see what happens," said Yamal.

"We aren't afraid at all."

(B.Ramirez--TAG)