FIFA World Cup

De la Fuente: The Most Important Thing Is Yamal is back

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epa13051835 Spain national soccer player Lamine Yamal (R) attends a training session with the team in Kennesaw, Georgia, USA, 20 June 2026. Spain will face Saudi Arabia on 21 June in a FIFA World Cup 2026 group H match. EPA/RONALD WITTEK

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has expressed his relief and delight at the return of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, describing his availability as a major boost for La Roja.

The 18-year-old suffered a season-ending hamstring injury while playing for Barcelona in late April.

However, he return to the field when he came on in the 72nd minute in Spain’s 0-0 draw against Cape Verde on June 15.

With Spain continuing their World Cup campaign, De la Fuente stressed that having one of his key attacking players back in the squad was of paramount importance for the team.

“This generation of footballers is highly competitive and really fired up… It’s going to be a completely different story,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday.

“There is no drama or crisis. The bottom line is simply that we need to win tomorrow.”

“The most important thing is that he’s back.”