FC Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, 18, says he is using LeBron James’ famous 2016 NBA Finals comeback as motivation ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atlético Madrid.
Barcelona fell 2–0 in the first leg and must win by at least three goals at Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano to reach the semifinals. Speaking at a Monday news conference, Yamal explained why he changed his social-media profile photo to a meme of James rallying the Cleveland Cavaliers from a 3-1 series deficit against the Golden State Warriors.
“LeBron is one of the references that is inspiring me for the game,” Yamal said. “I am thinking about how he did it [in 2016] and hoping for the same result for us.”
James’ Finals performance occurred when Yamal was eight years old, a moment the Spanish international considers formative in his athletic development.
Redick Applauds James’ 23rd NBA Season
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick also highlighted James’ influence, praising the 41-year-old’s 2025-26 campaign—his NBA-record 23rd season. “He had, not a good season, not a great, he had a remarkable season all things considered,” Redick told reporters while preparing for the Lakers’ playoff run. “The fact that those things are real, and they’re very real in terms of the day-to-day management, it’s unbelievable what he did this year.”
Barcelona and Atlético Madrid kick off Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. PT.
Source: Lakers Nation
