‘10 out of 10’: The mother who helped Lamine Yamal reach La Masia

Lamine Yamal’s route to becoming one of Barcelona’s leading stars was shaped by difficult decisions made by his family, according to the coach who guided him at the beginning of his football journey.

Yamal joined La Torreta at the age of five, where he worked with Inocente Diez, known as Kubala. The former coach has recalled the challenges faced by the player’s family before he eventually entered Barcelona’s academy system.

Diez particularly highlighted the role of Yamal’s mother, Sheila, and the difficult choice involved in allowing her son to join Barcelona permanently. The move meant leaving behind part of his daily life and beginning a new chapter away from home.

“It was extremely difficult for Sheila for Lamine to move to Barcelona,” Diez said.

Kubala recalled that Yamal remained closely connected to his familiar surroundings until he was 12. He continued attending the local school and completed the sixth year of primary education before making the permanent move to La Masia.

For the family, the transition required a demanding balance between training, travel and work commitments.

“Whether the child was going by taxi or walking, it was difficult for his mother because she had to go to work,” Diez said, describing the effort required to organise everyday life while Yamal continued developing his talent.

Despite those pressures, Sheila understood that she needed to respect her son’s wishes.

“She made her decision and said: ‘This is what he wants,’” Kubala recalled.

The challenge of leaving home

Diez said parents must support their children when they face major decisions at a young age, while also explaining the consequences of taking such an important step.

He also spoke about the emotional difficulty for a child who leaves behind friends, family and a familiar environment in pursuit of a sporting opportunity.

“He will leave his father here and he will not see his friends again, while he will go there to train,” he said.

“That is extremely hard for a seven-year-old child,” Diez added, stressing that opportunities for gifted young players can also involve significant personal and family sacrifices.

The former coordinator offered particular praise for Sheila’s contribution throughout the process.

“When children are as special as this, it is important to have someone accompanying them, and in this case Sheila deserves a 10 out of 10,” he said.

Diez’s recollections underline the importance of Yamal’s family during the earliest stages of his career. Before he became a star at Barcelona, his progress depended not only on his ability but also on his mother’s willingness to make difficult choices in support of his ambition.