Luis de la Fuente: Lamine Yamal in ‘perfect physical condition’ for World Cup final
The Spain head coach confirmed the 19-year-old winger is fully fit for the final against Argentina after recovering from a knock.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has confirmed that 19-year-old superstar Lamine Yamal is in “perfect physical condition” ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina. The winger’s fitness had been a point of discussion after he missed Thursday’s training session following a heavy blow received during the semifinal win over France.
De la Fuente clarified that the decision to bench the youngster was purely precautionary. The player suffered what the coach called a “dead leg” in his thigh area—a painful but manageable injury. By allowing him to rest during the scheduled day off, the staff ensured he could recover fully without risking further setbacks.
“Lamine is fine. He returned to training with the rest of the squad on Friday and worked completely normally,” the coach stated. This news provides a significant boost for Spain, who are aiming to secure their second World Cup title following their success at the 2024 European Championship.
Lamine needs to be Lamine. Messi is an unrepeatable player and a tremendous talent, but the best way we can help Yamal is by supporting him so he can continue to be the player we know. Luis de la Fuente
The final will feature a high-stakes duel between the emerging talent, Yamal, and the seasoned veteran Lionel Messi, who is potentially playing in his final World Cup match. While acknowledging Messi’s status as an example for all athletes, De la Fuente insisted that his focus remains on helping Yamal develop at his own pace.