Spain coach Luis de la Fuente feared Lamine Yamal would miss the World Cup through injury and says the Barcelona star needs to be “wrapped up” to ensure he is in peak condition to spearhead the team’s challenge.
Yamal strained his right hamstring in the act of scoring a penalty in Barcelona’s win over Celta Vigo in April, sparking concern he would be struggling to make this summer’s showpiece event in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 18-year-old is still working his way back but is expected to be fit for Spain’s opener against Cape Verde on Monday.
De la Fuente told AS: “We were very worried. Because we saw that it was an injury that could… not keep him out for three months but [the initial timeframe] of one and a half months could be extended.
“The deadlines that are being met are exceptional, as is the quality of recovery. We are not surprised, but very happy. Very happy because we are seeing that the recovery deadline is shortening, it is getting better every day. And that encourages you to think that he will be perfectly fine for the first game.”
Spain will continue to ‘wrap up’ superstar Yamal
It is unlikely Yamal will start against Cape Verde in Atlanta and will instead be carefully managed in the group stage before being unleashed in the knockout rounds.
The teenager was pivotal to Spain’s European Championship success in Germany two years ago and De la Fuente knows he has a special talent on his hands.
He added: “Yes, and he is very aware of it [as well]. He is a very mature footballer. And added to his talent, it means that we are talking so much about him and that he is demonstrating on the field, with an unusual naturalness, all his ability, his quality, his potential and his expectations.
“We celebrate it, but I keep saying that he is 18 years old and we must continue to take care of him, we must continue to wrap him up, we must continue to be by his side. Because he will still have many ups and downs that are normal and you always have to keep your feet on the ground. He is obsessed thinking about the World Cup.”
Fermin Lopez’s absence disappoints Spain boss
Spain have one of the strongest squads in the tournament but De la Fuente is still disappointed that Yamal’s Barca team-mate Fermin Lopez was ruled out by injury.
He added: “The absences that hurt the most are caused by injuries. In this case, Fermin’s. A footballer who was in a fantastic moment, exceptional, with a confidence, a security… It could have been his World Cup. And he misses out because of an injury. Those absences hurt.”
De la Fuente rubbished Spain’s status as one of the favourites and indicated he felt the tournament was wide open.
“What is being a favourite?,” he asked. “They are comments that come from outside. Are we more of a favourite than France, Brazil, Argentina?
“We are going to be surprised, because we are going to meet teams that we don’t know. And they are very powerful teams, physically and tactically. Technically, because they are teams that have players who are used to competing in different important clubs. And there are teams that are better adapted to these climatic situations, to these environments. That will also be handicap.
“In international football there is greater equality than at club level. The most important match of the World Cup for us is Cape Verde, there is no doubt.”
