Lamine Yamal has dazzled football fans for the past two years, but Spain coach Luis de la Fuente believes the teenager’s finest performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are still to come.
Speaking ahead of Spain’s quarter-final against Belgium on Friday, De la Fuente insisted the 18-year-old winger has yet to reach the level that made him one of Europe’s brightest stars during Spain’s victorious Euro 2024 campaign.
“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,” De la Fuente told reporters.
Yamal has scored once and is yet to register an assist in the tournament. Even so, his pace, close control and willingness to take on defenders have made him a constant threat, particularly on Spain’s right flank.
The young forward arrived in the United States still recovering from a late-season injury, a factor that may explain why his attacking numbers have fallen short of expectations. Yet Spain have continued to impress, reaching the last eight without conceding a goal.
De la Fuente pointed to Spain’s narrow victory over Portugal as evidence of Yamal’s growing influence. He argued that the teenager’s relentless attacking forced Portugal full-back Nuno Mendes into an exhausting battle before the defender left the match injured.
“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,” the Spain coach said.
For De la Fuente, the tournament has become an important learning experience for a player still only 18. He believes Yamal is developing the maturity needed to thrive on football’s biggest stage.
“He doesn’t need extra motivation. You actually sometimes have to calm his intensity. He’s very motivated, he wants to do so much,” he said.
Spain now face their toughest defensive test against Belgium, whose attack burst into life with four goals against the United States in the previous round. The match also presents another opportunity for Yamal to rediscover his scoring touch.
Despite the increased scrutiny surrounding the teenager, De la Fuente remains convinced the breakthrough is only a matter of time.
“He’s going to perform on the attacking front, that’s very clear,” he said. “He’s got incredible potential. And, of course, this is yet to come in some respects.”
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