Live Roundups Editor's Desk Insights Executive Ops Weather About 🔍
Home › Sport › Family ties and focus: Lamine Yamal carries burden of...
Sport

Family ties and focus: Lamine Yamal carries burden of Spain’s World Cup dream

The Guardian UK Friday 03 July 2026, 10:43 UTC By Sid Lowe in Los Angeles 1 min read
Key Points

The 18-year-old is leading a nation’s effort to win a second title – to the delight of his three-year-old brotherNo one celebrated Spain’s last-32 win quite like Keyne. As the third goal against Austria went in, cameras caught Lamine Yamal’s younger brother, still only three, raising his arms and shouting: “Come on!” And so a million memes were launched in Los Angeles.

The 18-year-old is leading a nation’s effort to win a second title – to the delight of his three-year-old brother

No one celebrated Spain’s last-32 win quite like Keyne. As the third goal against Austria went in, cameras caught Lamine Yamal’s younger brother, still only three, raising his arms and shouting: “Come on!” And so a million memes were launched in Los Angeles.

Not long after, 30 metres below ground – Los Angeles Stadium had to be built from beneath the surface because of its proximity to LAX airport – Lamine Yamal stood on a platform before a scrum of cameras, microphones and mobile phones. Someone in there showed him the footage, asked what he thought about this small boy enjoying the childhood he never could, and there was a pause. “I don’t know …” Lamine Yamal said eventually. “It makes me emotional to see my brother happy, and my mum. He is everything to me. It’s like he is my son and I’m in love with him.”

Continue reading...
Lamine Yamal (ORG) Spain (LOCATION) World Cup (EVENT) Keyne (LOCATION) Austria (LOCATION) Los Angeles (LOCATION) Los Angeles Stadium (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

Related Stories

Best fighter, fight, KO, prospect and more

The first half of the year has delivered plenty of memorable moments, from dramatic fights and incredible knockouts to unforgettable finishes and breakout performances by some of boxing's brightest young stars. Boxing could already have a leading candidate for fight of the year, while one of the biggest upsets unfolded on the same card in May. Several contenders have also emerged for KO of the year, and one prospect took a major step toward becoming a contender.

ESPN just now

'Wow, Mike Evans is here': Future Hall of Fame rec...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Standing at a lectern following a recent offseason practice, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans casually answered questions in his mild-mannered way for nearly seven minutes. Wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words "Humble Over Hype," Evans praised the California weather and discussed the "smooth" adjustment he has made to the Niners after spending his first 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

ESPN just now

'We're counting on him': After down year, Dolphins...

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- There are high expectations, and then there are the Miami Dolphins' expectations for Chop Robinson in 2026. The onetime first-round pick began his career with a six-sack rookie season, in which he finished fifth in defensive rookie of the year voting.

ESPN just now

Windhorst: NBA execs on the Brown trade, big-money...

In 2001, while Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant were thriving, four high school players were taken in the top eight picks of the draft. Kwame Brown became the first prep-to-pros star to go No. 1. Within four years, the NBA banned drafting 18-year-olds.

ESPN just now