Luis de la Fuente said Lamine Yamal is fit to start against Saudi Arabia, a clear step up after the teenager played only 20 minutes in Spain’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde. The coach also suggested the Yamal Soccer Player will be managed carefully, with his minutes likely to be cut short before the full match ends.
That matters now because Spain go into their second World Cup game in Atlanta with Yamal’s availability shaping both the selection and the plan. De la Fuente said the young forward was available and in a good moment, and he made it plain that Spain were not about to throw him into 90 minutes just because he could start.
The coach gave a rough range for Yamal’s workload, saying he might play 55, 58 or 63 minutes depending on how the game evolved. In other words, the decision was not whether he could help Spain, but how long Spain should ask him to do it. That is a different kind of test for an 18-year-old already carrying so much attention.
De la Fuente has tried to keep the discussion on football, not on comparisons. He warned against putting Yamal alongside Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona or anyone else, saying the worst mistake would be to compare him to others. He said Spain should help him along this path as best it can, because that would be good for Spanish football and the national team.
The caution comes after an injury in April that had left his status under scrutiny through the buildup to Spain’s World Cup campaign. De la Fuente said Yamal’s image was already everywhere in the United States and described him as a global figure, while also noting that Spain’s dressing room remained healthy and natural, with teammates understanding what he brings.
For Spain, the immediate answer is simple: Yamal is available, and they expect him to matter against Saudi Arabia. The more telling question is how long they can keep him on the pitch before the coach decides that enough is enough.
