De la Fuente compares Yamal to Dalí and Michelangelo: "He's a genius"
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente praised Lamine Yamal's talent ahead of the match against Saudi Arabia, comparing the 18-year-old to artistic geniuses like Salvador Dalí and Michelangelo.
Spain national team head coach Luis de la Fuente has lavished praise on young star Lamine Yamal, comparing him to artistic geniuses such as Salvador Dalí and Michelangelo ahead of today's World Cup Group H match against Saudi Arabia.
"These kinds of players, who have something different, are ready to follow their own path. They are geniuses, similar to Salvador Dalí or Michelangelo. What seems extraordinary to us is not to them," de la Fuente said.
The coach also cautioned against comparing Yamal to legends like Messi or Maradona, emphasizing that the 18-year-old forward is still developing.
"We must let him follow his own path," de la Fuente added.
Yamal returned from injury in the previous match against Cape Verde, which ended in a goalless draw for Spain. He came off the bench in the 71st minute but could not significantly impact the game. De la Fuente has yet to decide whether Yamal will start against Saudi Arabia.
"The best news is that he is here. Lamine is in good form. Whether he plays 55, 58, or 63 minutes will depend on the flow of the game. We will think about his contribution to the team and what is best for him... We'll see," the coach explained.
Despite sharp criticism from Spanish media after dropping points, de la Fuente insists there is no panic in the squad. "The team is disappointed, and sometimes criticism is motivating. The players read all this, they are angry, and the next game will definitely be very different," he said.
Spain will face Saudi Arabia at 19:00 tonight in their second Group H match of the World Cup.
