Lamine Yamal's exhibition, in exclusive images
After the splendid victory over Cyprus at Nuevo Los Cármenes, during this sensational September window with two results that reinforce Spain's identity, Luis de la Fuente sat down with journalists. Always emphasizing the collective over individual achievements, he paused when asked about Lamine Yamal. It's understandable that such a phenomenon grabs headlines, and the coach was generous with praise, but he also remained consistent with his message, considering that we are talking about a 16-year-old footballer.
"Lamine has those qualities, those flashes... He can achieve great things in football as long as he remains humble and grounded," De la Fuente stated in the press room of the Granada stadium. "Players like him, with that kind of brilliance, are different. Their development is faster because they are always one step ahead. We must be cautious, protect him, nurture him, and educate him. He has tremendous potential, but there will undoubtedly be ups and downs along the way, and he must be prepared for those less favorable moments."
The current moment is excellent, as he demonstrated in Granada, where he became the youngest starter in the history of Spain (16 years and 61 days) after his successful debut in Tbilisi just four days earlier. He played with intelligence, showed an immense ability to read the game, and delighted fans with world-class plays. He is already a footballer of the present, but his future looks even brighter.