Carragher is wrong about Trent - it doesn't get bigger than Madrid

Eli Junior Kroupi: Have Bournemouth bagged the new Mbappe?

Chelsea's quadruple bid lives - but City might regret sacking Taylor

The day Man Utd fans stopped football 

Lewandowski finishes off Osasuna as Barca go three clear

Editors' Picks

Ex-Chelsea star claims cocaine stopped him winning Ballon d'Or

'Time for someone else to have a chance' - Portugal urged to replace Ronaldo

'I played against drug traffickers' - Antony on 'real pressure'

Scaloni admits he 'doesn't want to deal with' Messi World Cup issue

Mbappe & Vini at risk of being banned for Arsenal UCL clash

Buffon's son scores first international goal - but not for Italy!

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Yamal a key player for Spain</li><li>But youngster only wants to play in European Championship</li><li>Does not want to risk overloading himself</li></ul>

Lamine Yamal explains why he does not want to play at both Euro 2024 and Olympics as Barcelona sensation picks his preferred competition

LaLiga

Barcelona

Girona

Yamal, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lamine-yamal-making-of-nxgn-2024-winner/blt32f0c0c0ce59e2e0" target="_blank">a cherished treasure of Luis de la Fuente</a>, is faced with the possibility of participating in both the Euro 2024 and the Olympics. However, concerns have emerged within the Barcelona camp regarding the potential strain on the young player if he were to compete in both competitions in quick succession. The club is keen to avoid a scenario similar to 2021, where Pedri's fitness suffered due to the demanding schedule of multiple international tournaments.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In light of these concerns, Yamal recently addressed the issue himself in an interview with <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/us/en/soccer/20240405/684551/lamine-yamal-skipping-olympics-after-euro-cup-wouldn-t-make-sense.html" target="_blank">Mundo Deportivo</a>, acknowledging the challenges of participating <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/brazil-player-ratings-spain-endrick-lamine-yamal/blt3cdb0aeb1f5fa82d" target="_blank">in both the Euros and the Olympics.</a>"It wouldn't be wise to participate in both tournaments," he said. "I've always tried to avoid overloading myself and playing excessively, so it wouldn't be logical to do both. But of course, representing Spain is a dream. It depends on how the Euro Cup unfolds, but I believe the priority would be the Euro Cup."However, Yamal, remains "definitely" open to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/record-breaker-barcelona-lamine-yamal-spain-player-debut-georgia/blt9dee093600f8898f" target="_blank">reconsidering his stance</a> if he is used scarcely in the Euro or Spain exit early from the competition.

WHAT YAMAL SAID

Yamal's decision marks a departure from his previous stance, where he had indicated openness to playing in both competitions. However, he now prioritizes the European Championship considering Pedri's erstwhile experiences. While speaking on the Pedri factor, he said: "It’s an example of what can happen because he’s the only one I remember doing it.“

THE BIGGER PICTURE

While the Spanish Football Federation has assured Barcelona that they would not overload their youngsters, the Catalans are likely to take measures to prevent their players from participating in both tournaments. Real Madrid have already taken a firm stance, prohibiting their players from competing in two competitions, signalling the importance clubs place on wellbeing and performance. Yamal will be back in action when Barcelona make a trip to Parc des Princes to face Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.

WHAT NEXT?

Lamine Yamal explains why he does not want to play at both Euro 2024 and Olympics as Barcelona sensation picks his preferred competition | Goal.com

Lamine Yamal revealed that he does not want to play both Euro 2024 and the Olympics and gave his reasons for picking his preferred competition.

Next Match