​Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente believes the best version of Lamine Yamal is still to come at this World Cup, ahead of Friday’s quarter-final against Belgium in Los Angeles. The teenage sensation powered Spain to glory at the European Championship two years ago and has yet to fully illuminate a World Cup stage where other global stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland have been prolific. “We know that the best version of him, the attacking Lamine, is something that we haven’t quite seen yet in this World Cup. Not to the level that we’re used to,” the coach said.
Yamal, 18, has recorded just one goal and no assists at the tournament so far, arriving in the United States while still recovering from a late-season injury. Yet he has been a constant threat to opponents, often driving Spain’s attacking play down the right flank. Following Spain’s late 1-0 victory over Portugal in the previous round, De la Fuente lauded Yamal’s performance as “one of his best performances” and “a very important day for his development.” When pressed on those remarks at Thursday’s press conference, he explained that Yamal’s spirited duel with Portugal full-back Nuno Mendes forced the defender to leave the field in the 55th minute. “We were facing a powerhouse of a rival, and the defender who was marking him ultimately had to do so much that he was injured,” he said.
Even as Yamal continues to mature at the highest level, De la Fuente emphasized that the prodigiously gifted youngster has already learned valuable lessons from the tournament’s challenges. “He doesn’t need extra motivation. You actually sometimes have to calm his intensity. He’s very motivated — he wants to do so much,” the coach added. Spain have yet to concede a goal at this World Cup, and their next test arrives against a Belgium side that hammered the United States four goals on Monday. Will Friday’s quarter-final be the moment for Yamal to rediscover his scoring touch? “He’s going to perform on the attacking front — that’s very clear,” said the manager. “He’s got incredible potential. And, of course, this is yet to come in some respects.”