Spain boss Luis de la Fuente says the best is yet to come from Barcelona star Lamine Yamal at World Cup 2026 ahead of their quarter-final tie with Belgium.
Yamal returned from injury at the beginning of the tournament and scored on his first start for La Roja against Saudi Arabia.
The teenager hasn’t found the back of the net since but has remained influential, and De la Fuente says he is raring to go ahead of the game in Los Angeles later.
“If you look at Lamine’s situation, I think he’s a very dangerous
player for opponents today because he’s very eager and motivated. But what we’re trying to do is calm that down so it doesn’t turn into anxiety, and that’s not positive. We want him to be motivated, with enormous desire, and he is,” he told reporters.
“We know that the best Lamine, the offensive one, the most flashy and highly valued, is yet to come. Because he hasn’t yet made that leap to the level of brilliance we’re used to seeing from him. He will, for sure.”
Yamal and Spain are favorites heading into the match and know victory will set up a semi-final clash with France following their victory over Morocco.
