MADRID — Barcelona’s teenage winger Lamine Yamal said he was taking inspiration from basketball great LeBron James and Brazilian footballer Neymar to try and inspire a Champions League comeback against Atletico Madrid.
The Catalan giants fell 2-0 last week in the quarterfinal first leg at home but are aiming to reach the final four for a second consecutive year by fighting back on Tuesday at the Metropolitano stadium, AFP reported.
Yamal changed his profile picture on Instagram to a photo of James with the NBA finals trophy in 2016 after he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to victory over the Golden State Warriors despite trailing 3-1 to mount a historic comeback.
“He’s one of the reference points that can inspire me for tomorrow’s game, that’s why I put him there,” Yamal told reporters.
“I will think about what he did and I hope it goes the same way for me.”
Closer to home, winger Neymar shone as Barcelona made the biggest comeback in Champions League history in 2017 against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.
After a 4-0 first-leg defeat in Paris, Barcelona recorded a 6-1 win to reach the quarterfinals.
“I’ve watched that game many times and saw it live too,” said the 18-year-old.
“Neymar is a player who has marked all of my childhood, he is my idol, I will be grateful to him forever for what he has given football.
“He’s the kind of player you buy a ticket to watch… I hope he can be at the World Cup.”
Yamal shone for Barca last season as they won a domestic treble, but their European campaign was cut short by a semifinal defeat by Inter Milan.
The Spain international, who was voted the second-best player in the world last year at the Ballon d’Or awards, was largely shut out by Atletico in the first leg as he was double and sometimes triple marked.
“I think Lamine has performed really well in the last games, and what I say to him is he has to do the things where he’s the best in the world at the moment – one against one situation,” said Flick.
The teenager said he hoped to get more freedom in the second leg.
“I feel very good and really looking forward to tomorrow’s game, I hope I can make the difference,” added Yamal.
“Let’s see if (Simeone) does me a favour and leaves me one on one against a player.”
