Lamine Yamal is brilliant, but needs to improve, says Spain coach
Spain’s head coach calls for patience with the Barcelona wonderkid, saying maturity and balance are key to his long-term success.
Lamine Yamal is already being hailed as one of the brightest young stars in world football, but with the spotlight also comes intense scrutiny. The 17-year-old Barcelona and Spain forward has been praised for his immense talent, yet criticized at times for inconsistent displays and emotional reactions on the pitch.
In an interview with El Partidazo de COPE, Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente addressed the buzz around Yamal both the hype and the criticism and offered a thoughtful perspective on the teenager’s development.
“He Has the Potential to Be Legendary”
De la Fuente was clear in his admiration for Yamal’s potential:
“He has the potential to be legendary, but everything takes time. He is very mature for his age, but he is still developing.”
The Spain boss emphasized the need to protect and guide young talents through the demanding world of elite football. He acknowledged that while Yamal dazzles with his flair and confidence, emotional and tactical maturity are still developing.
“You Have to Be Smart — Know When to Have Fun and When to Work”
Addressing recent criticisms about Yamal’s attitude on the field and his performance in key matches particularly his quiet display in the Nations League final against Portugal de la Fuente was empathetic:
“No one is born knowing everything. We have to teach them and guide them,” he said. “Sometimes life hits you and brings you to your knees.”
The coach explained that internal pressure and external expectations will increase as Yamal’s fame grows, but those challenges are part of the journey for a future elite player.
Lack of Goals? De la Fuente Responds
Some critics have questioned whether Yamal contributes enough in terms of goals, especially compared to other attacking stars. De la Fuente was quick to defend him:
“I heard that Lamine lacks goals… my goodness… I said: I live in a world of Martians.”
The coach’s tongue-in-cheek remark suggests that Yamal’s value lies far beyond statistics his creativity, unpredictability, and work ethic are already assets to Spain’s national team setup.
Club vs Country: A Delicate Balance
De la Fuente also touched on the relationship between Barcelona and the national team, explaining that while he respects the club’s training structure, his responsibility is the player’s well-being when they’re on international duty:
“If a player has a physical problem, then I intervene. Other than that, I don’t interfere. They are part of the club, but here they are part of the national team.”
Ballon d’Or in His Future?
Although still in his teenage years, Yamal is already being tipped as a future Ballon d’Or contender. His ability to break games open with moments of brilliance, coupled with his footballing IQ, sets him apart from most players his age.
Still, de la Fuente insists that temperance and development are more important than early accolades. “We’re in the process of training. Every year will be harder, and the expectations will grow,” he concluded.
