Lamine Yamal Targets Champions League Glory as Barcelona Make European Triumph Top Priority
Lamine Yamal says winning the Champions League is his main target as Barcelona begin their 2026/27 European campaign against Feyenoord at Camp Nou.
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has identified Champions League glory as his biggest target for the 2026/27 season, as the Catalan giants prepare to begin another European campaign with renewed determination to end their long wait for the continent’s biggest club trophy.
Yamal, now 19 and recently named one of Barcelona’s vice-captains, said the Champions League represents the competition he most wants to win after Barcelona’s painful exits in recent seasons.
“There’s no greater motivation than the Champions League,” Yamal said at a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s opening league-phase fixture against Feyenoord at Camp Nou. He added that the team would give everything to win the competition.
The comments underline the growing ambition surrounding FC Barcelona, which begins its European campaign on Wednesday, September 9, against Dutch side Feyenoord.
Barcelona Begin Champions League Campaign
Barcelona's first Champions League assignment of the season comes at home against Feyenoord, with the Catalan club hoping to carry their impressive domestic form into Europe.
UEFA lists the match as Barcelona's opening fixture of the 2026/27 Champions League league phase. The two clubs have met only once previously in European competition, with Barcelona winning 3-0 at Camp Nou in the second round of the 1974/75 European Cup.
The match represents the beginning of Barcelona's latest attempt to reclaim their position among Europe's elite.
The club has not won the Champions League since 2015, when Luis Enrique's side defeated Juventus in the final in Berlin. Since then, Barcelona have endured several disappointing European campaigns, including painful knockout eliminations despite having highly talented squads.
Yamal believes the current team has the quality required to change that story.
Yamal Embraces Leadership Role
The teenager's ambitions come at a particularly important moment in his development.
Yamal was recently selected by his teammates as one of Barcelona's vice-captains, alongside Eric Garcia and Frenkie de Jong. Coach Hansi Flick selected Raphinha and Pedri to complete the club's five-man captaincy group.
Being included in the leadership group at just 19 represents a major vote of confidence from his teammates.
Yamal said he was proud of the responsibility and grateful to his teammates for trusting him.
The appointment also reflects how quickly the Spain international has developed from a teenage prospect into one of Barcelona's most important players.
His performances have increasingly made him central to Barcelona's attacking strategy, while his maturity has led the club to expect more leadership from him both on and off the pitch.
Barcelona's New Signings Raise Expectations
Yamal also pointed to several new arrivals as reasons for optimism.
Among the players he mentioned were Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and Rodri, additions that have strengthened Barcelona's squad and increased expectations ahead of the Champions League campaign.
Rodri's arrival is particularly significant because of his experience at the highest level of European football.
The midfielder's ability to control games, protect possession and provide defensive stability could prove important during the latter stages of the Champions League, when Barcelona are likely to encounter opponents capable of exploiting even small tactical weaknesses.
Barcelona's recruitment has therefore added depth to a squad already featuring players such as Yamal, Pedri and Raphinha. (REUTER)
Flick Believes Barcelona Can Win the Champions League
Yamal's ambition is shared by his manager.
Hansi Flick said Barcelona possess the quality necessary to challenge for the Champions League, although he stressed that winning the competition would require consistency and strong performances throughout a long campaign.
The German coach has already delivered significant domestic success since arriving at the club, but the Champions League remains the major prize missing from his Barcelona record.
The team came agonisingly close to reaching the final in the previous campaign before being eliminated by Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals. Reuters reported that Barcelona lost 3-2 on aggregate after failing to keep a clean sheet across the four matches leading to their recent European exits.
Flick believes his players must therefore be prepared to adapt when necessary.
“We always adapt our style” to the opponent when required, Yamal said, reflecting Barcelona's willingness to combine their traditional possession-based approach with greater tactical flexibility.
Barcelona's European Weakness Must Be Addressed
One of the biggest questions surrounding Barcelona is whether their aggressive style can survive against Europe's strongest teams.
Barcelona have been highly successful domestically under Flick, but Champions League football often demands greater defensive discipline and tactical flexibility.
Flick acknowledged that his team must have its key players fit and in top condition when the decisive stages of the competition arrive.
That could be particularly important given the demanding schedule created by the expanded Champions League format.
Barcelona cannot afford extended periods of inconsistency if they want to advance deep into the tournament.
Yamal Could Be Central to Barcelona's European Push
Much of Barcelona's Champions League hopes will inevitably be linked to Yamal.
The young forward already has considerable Champions League experience despite his age. UEFA records show that he made his competition debut as a teenager and has established himself among the tournament's notable young attacking players.
He could also challenge a Champions League scoring record previously associated with Kylian Mbappe during Wednesday's opening league-phase fixture, according to pre-match analysis.
More importantly, however, Barcelona needs Yamal to deliver consistently rather than simply produce occasional moments of brilliance.
His ability to create chances, score goals and stretch opposing defences could become one of the team's biggest advantages.
Strong Start Against Feyenoord Important
Barcelona will expect to begin their campaign with a victory against Feyenoord.
The Catalan club have started the domestic season strongly, winning their opening four LaLiga matches and scoring heavily in the process.
Feyenoord, meanwhile, arrive with an unbeaten domestic record and will be hoping to frustrate the home side.
That makes the opening match an important early test of whether Barcelona's impressive domestic form can translate to the Champions League.
A convincing victory would provide confidence, while a difficult result could immediately increase pressure on Flick's side.
Ending the 11-Year Wait
For Barcelona, the Champions League represents more than another trophy.
The club's last triumph came in 2015, meaning the 2026/27 campaign offers another opportunity to end an 11-year drought.
Yamal is determined to play a major role in that effort.
At only 19, he is already being entrusted with leadership responsibilities and expected to help carry Barcelona's ambitions on the European stage.
The challenge, however, will be enormous.
Barcelona will have to overcome Europe's strongest clubs, maintain their players' fitness, improve their defensive consistency and handle the pressure that comes with being one of the tournament favourites.
For Yamal, the objective is straightforward: win the trophy he has yet to claim.
As Barcelona face Feyenoord at Camp Nou, the teenager's message is clear - the Champions League is no longer simply another competition on the calendar. It is the main target.