Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has delivered an encouraging fitness update on Lamine Yamal ahead of the FIFA World Cup, saying the Barcelona winger continues to recover faster than expected and could feature in Spain’s opening match if he meets the required fitness levels.
The 18-year-old has not played since suffering a hamstring injury late in Barcelona’s season. The setback raised concerns over his availability for the tournament, but De la Fuente now believes the forward remains on course for a return.
“He’s getting better fast, hitting all the targets earlier. I think he’ll be able to play the first game, but that doesn’t mean he will. We’ll evaluate if he has to play a little bit, not play, wait for the second game.”
Spain do not want to rush one of their most important attacking players. The coaching staff plan to monitor his workload closely before making a final decision on his involvement.
De la Fuente also praised Yamal’s ability to handle pressure despite his age.
“Lamine was born for this. He has a daring character.”
The Spain coach highlighted the winger’s maturity and consistency under intense scrutiny. He pointed to the way Yamal has dealt with media attention and expectations since breaking into elite football as a teenager.
Spain view Yamal as a key figure in their attack. His pace, dribbling and creativity give the side a different dimension in wide areas. The team also continues to monitor the fitness of winger Nico Williams, another important part of De la Fuente’s attacking plans.
While comparisons with football greats continue to follow Yamal, Spain’s immediate focus remains simple. The priority is to have the young winger fully fit and available for the decisive stages of the World Cup rather than force an early return.
