Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal has declared himself fit and ready to contribute to his team at the FIFA World Cup 2026, while acknowledging that the coaching staff is taking a cautious approach with his return from injury.
Yamal's Recovery and Limited Minutes
The 18-year-old Barcelona forward is recovering from a hamstring problem and is being gradually reintegrated into match action. He is expected to feature for a limited period in Spain's upcoming group-stage match against Saudi Arabia on Sunday (local time).
Yamal made his first appearance in nearly two months during Spain's opening game, a surprising 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, where he played 25 minutes off the bench.
Player's Perspective on Fitness
Speaking to Spanish public broadcaster TVE, as quoted by Reuters, Yamal admitted that while he is not yet ready to play a full 90 minutes, he is keen to help his team whenever called upon.
"I'm fine, I'm feeling good, but it's too soon, it's unnecessary; I'm still settling in - it's not the right time to play a full match yet - but I can play for as many minutes as the manager wants," Yamal said.
The young forward explained that his desire to play sometimes overrides caution, especially during the latter part of the season when players are balancing club commitments with major international tournaments.
"I want to be on the pitch; at the end of the day, even if you know you can't play for 90 minutes, you always want to get out there and help the team," he added.
World Cup Considerations
Yamal also spoke about the constant awareness players have regarding injuries ahead of a World Cup. He noted the importance of staying fit for international duty and expressed relief over his recovery, crediting the medical staff for their support.
"All players in the final stages of the season - with every injury, you think about the World Cup, and obviously about your team, but the World Cup is always on your mind," he said. "After I've heard about the injury, thank God the doctors told me I was going to be ready, and here we are, happy. I hope I never get injured again."
Spain will hope to have Yamal available for more significant minutes as the tournament progresses, with the team looking to build on their performance after a disappointing opening draw.
