Yamal sets his sights on Champions League glory

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal made it clear on Tuesday (September 8) that lifting the Champions League trophy is his top priority this season.

Lamine Yamal has won a World Cup with Spain and La Liga with Barcelona. Now the teenage forward wants the one major club prize still missing from his collection — the Champions League.

Barcelona begin their European campaign at home to Feyenoord on Wednesday, with Yamal looking to make his mark in a competition he has identified as his next big target.

The Catalan club have not lifted the trophy since 2015, when Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez led them to European glory. They came close again under Hansi Flick, reaching the semi-finals in 2025, but were knocked out in the quarter-finals last season.

Yamal, who has also been named on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, says he is proud of what he has already achieved but remains hungry for more.

Flick shares that ambition. The Barcelona coach believes his side have the quality to challenge for the title, while warning that winning the Champions League will require consistency over a long campaign.

He also expects Yamal to play a decisive role, praising the forward’s ability to produce moments that can change a game and his freedom to express himself on the pitch.

Elsewhere, Liverpool host Atletico Madrid at Anfield in one of the opening night’s biggest fixtures. Liverpool beat Burnley 2-0 in their latest league game after back-to-back draws, while Atletico arrive after a 3-0 defeat by Athletic Bilbao.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain face Slovan Bratislava, while last season’s runners-up Arsenal begin against Napoli.

For Barcelona, however, the focus is on ending an 11-year wait for European supremacy — and Yamal wants to lead the way.