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Lamine Yamal y Nico Williams Talk About Their On-Field Partnership
Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal are enjoying their Euro 2024 experience without feeling the pressure. At just 21 and 16 years old, they're already making a big impact for Spain but remain grounded, emphasizing that their strength lies in the team, not just individual performances.
"A lot of people are watching us, but we know our strength is the team, not just the individual," says Nico Williams from the Spanish squad's camp, where he spends much time with Lamine Yamal. The two are inseparable.
"The good thing about the Euro is that you finish one game and four days later, you have another. You just think about football. And our captains keep us grounded and don't let the success get to our heads," adds Yamal, explaining how the locker room leaders help them stay humble.
Nico and Lamine are the life of the team and two key players who have reconnected the country with the Spanish national team. A video of them playing rock-paper-scissors for a water bottle after their round of 16 match against Georgia has gone viral.
"There was only a little left in the bottle I was holding, and I was telling him something. He took the bottle, and I said, 'What are you doing?' We played rock-paper-scissors, he won, and the 'genius' drank and spat out the water," Lamine recalls.
It's something they do daily, though not on the field. "I get lazy about getting up for orange juice at dessert, so we decide by chance," Nico reveals. "If it's a foul in the game, no, but during the day, yes, we do it," confirms Yamal.
Their friendship, which began in Germany and has grown since Lamine joined the senior team in September 2023, is evident. "He usually behaves, but when he insists, I tell him not to do that and try to listen to me. It's tough to have his mindset at 16," says Nico about his friend.
"Balde told me a kid from the youth categories was very good and training with them. I didn't know him personally. From that day, we clicked and have been close ever since," he adds.
Lamine appreciates the support Nico has always given him. "He's a good guy, welcoming from day one, and a humble person who helps whenever he can. He's caring."
The two performed a dance during the game against Georgia, which they say came naturally, though they spend their days doing things they see on TikTok. "It came naturally. We talked about it on the bus before the game and did a dance I hope people liked," Williams said. "When we see things on TikTok, not just dances, but football stuff, we send it to each other, say it's cool, and do it."
That's how they enter the locker room before games, dancing, avoiding pressure, and enjoying the moment. These are the two trendy players aiming to bring glory to the Spanish team in Germany.