‘Let’s see if Cholo does me a favor’ – Lamine Yamal sends message to Atletico boss ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League tie

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 04: Diego Pablo Simeone head coach of Atletico de Madrid joking with Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on April 04, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Lamine Yamal is hoping for a favor from Diego Simeone ahead of Tuesday’s crunch Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico.

The teenager heads into the match in impressive form for Hansi Flick’s side and is relishing the opportunity to pull off a special comeback against Atletico.

“I feel great, I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s game, I’m motivated for it and I hope I can make a difference, let’s see if Cholo does me a favor and puts me one-on-one with some player and I hope so,” he told a pre-match press conference.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve always said that at the beginning of the season my level was questioned a lot because of the pubalgia, and I like that these moments are coming because that’s when the real players come out, and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”

Yamal also promised fans that Barca would go absolutely everything to grab the victory and secure a place in the semi-finals.

“We promise that if we are eliminated, it will be fighting until the end, we will not leave a single minute without pressing and running, we will give it our all, it will be a 90-minute game or more, it is not over, a comeback is very possible and that is why we are here,” he added.

The Barcelona star has five goals and four assists in nine Champions League outings this season and will hope he can inspire his team to victory against in the Spanish capital.