​Spain boss Luis de la Fuente believes the best is still ahead for Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal as his national team prepare for the World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Belgium. Yamal, who returned from injury at the tournament’s start and opened his scoring account for La Roja with a strike in his first start against Saudi Arabia, has since not found the back of the net. Nevertheless, he has remained a influential presence on the pitch, and de la Fuente insists he is full of intent and ready for the upcoming clash in Los Angeles.
“Considering Lamine’s situation, I think he is a very dangerous player for opponents today because he is incredibly eager and motivated. Our aim is to channel that energy so it doesn’t produce anxiety, which would be counterproductive. We want him to stay driven, to possess immense desire, and he does,” de la Fuente explained to reporters.
“We know the best version of Lamine—the one who is offensive, the most dazzling, and highly valued—has not yet arrived. He hasn’t yet made that leap to the extraordinary level we’re accustomed to seeing from him. But he will, for sure.”
As Spain head into the quarter-final, Yamal and his teammates are fancied to advance, with victory potentially setting up a semi-final duel against France after France defeated Morocco to reach the last four. The young attacker’s continued influence, even without a current goal tally, underscores the confidence his coach has in his ability to deliver when it matters most. For Spain, the momentum remains strong, and the focus is on leveraging Yamal’s pace, creativity, and flair to break down Belgium’s defense and propel La Roja toward another deep run in the tournament.
De la Fuente’s remarks highlight his belief that Yamal’s ceiling remains exceptionally high, and that the best is still to come as he matures on the world stage. The Barcelona star’s development in this World Cup campaign is central to Spain’s plans, with the coaching staff keen to balance his exuberance with composure to maximize his impact in critical moments against top-tier opposition.
With Yamal’s form and influence continuing to grow, Spain enter the Belgium showdown confident that their prodigious teenager can produce the moment of magic needed to push them toward the semi-finals. The national team’s hopes are buoyed by the belief that Yamal’s evolving game intelligence, combined with his natural speed and skill, could unlock Belgium’s defense and translate into a victory that would extend Spain’s campaign in the tournament and pave the way for a potential clash with France in the next round.