With the way he plays, it’s easy to forget he’s only 18… But for Lamine Yamal, playing Pokémon cards isn’t such a distant memory.

The Barcelona star grew up in a modest household. There were no luxuries at home: “We didn’t have the means to buy a PlayStation or a Nintendo.”

Without consoles, his plan A was to play Pokémon cards with his friends in the schoolyard. “They cost one euro.”

Recently, Lamine took part in a commercial celebrating the 30th anniversary of the franchise, now a cornerstone of popular culture.

The ad premiered during the Super Bowl halftime show, drawing an audience of many millions. It is estimated that Pokémon paid around $14 million for that one minute of television time.

The Barcelona winger, alongside other international stars such as Lady Gaga and Charles Leclerc, reveals his favorite Pokémon.

Yamal chose Zygarde as his alter ego. He identifies with it for its ability to overcome opponents in different ways.

The Barça academy graduate also assigned several Pokémon to some of his teammates. Pikachu for Dani Olmo, “because he’s blond.”

He handed Szczesny Charizard, one of the game’s strongest characters. “He reminds me of him because he has aura,” he joked.

Lamine now looks after his brother and wants him to have “the childhood he would have wished for,” with access to toys and comforts he never had.