In a recent interview, the young Spaniard disclosed that Neymar greatly impacted him during his formative years. Yamal began his journey at the La Masia Academy in 2014. The following year, the legendary “MSN” trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar propelled Barcelona to a Champions League victory.
According to Yamal, he first encountered Neymar at the tender age of five while the Brazilian was playing for Santos in his native country. Yamal eventually had the chance to meet Neymar at Camp Nou during his initial experience with Barcelona’s youth setup.
“I was seven years old when I met him in person at FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou. It was mind-blowing to see him. Yes, it’s true that Messi was present, who was also remarkable, but Neymar was something completely unique. He has always been my hero. He’s a superstar, a football icon,” Yamal expressed to CNN Sport after clinching the Emerging Player Award at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai.
Neymar played for Santos in 230 matches before transitioning to Europe. He inked a five-year agreement with Barcelona in the summer of 2013. During his tenure at the Catalan club, Neymar
