Yamal insists ‘there’s no greater motivation than to win the Champions League’

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Lamine Yamal believes “there’s no greater motivation than to win the Champions League” as Barcelona prepare for their European campaign.

Barca host Feyenoord on Wednesday in their Champions League opener, as the Blaugrana bid to win the competition for the first time since 2014-15.

Hansi Flick’s side reached the quarter-finals in the Champions League last season before losing 3-2 on aggregate against rivals Atletico Madrid.

Yamal scored six goals and provided four assists in 10 Champions League games in 2025-26, while leading all players in dribbles completed (46) and take-on ending carries (53).

The 19-year-old won back-to-back LaLiga titles with Barca before lifting the World Cup with Spain over the summer, and now he wants to achieve Champions League glory.

“There’s no greater motivation than to win the Champions League,” said Yamal.

“We all feel it. It’s the most special competition. Rodri, [Anthony] Gordon… everyone is excited.

“On a team level, I want to keep winning titles, especially the Champions League.

“On a personal level, I want to improve every day. I’m very young, but by listening I can improve; that’s my goal.”

❝There’s no greater motivation than winning the Champions League. It’s the most special competition.❞

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 8, 2026

This will be the 21st time that Barca have played their opening game of a European Cup or Champions League campaign at home – they have won 18 of the previous 20 (D1 L1), with their only defeat coming against Bayern Munich in 2021-22 (0-3).

The only previous meetings between Barca and Feyenoord came in the last 16 of the 1974-75 European Cup, with the Spanish side progressing 3-0 on aggregate (0-0 away, 3-0 at home).

Barca’s aim this season will be to dethrone Paris Saint-Germain, who have won the last two editions of the Champions League, and Yamal has urged his team-mates to fight hard in their hunt for the trophy.

“At PSG and Bayern, everyone presses and they win titles,” added Yamal.

“If you don’t run, any team will beat you. If we want to win, we have to run; if you don’t, you’ll lose.”

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