Tag: Lamine Yamal

Spain’s rising superstar Lamine Yamal may be the headline name in their FIFA World Cup 2026 squad, but the Barcelona winger will not be wearing the iconic No. 10 jersey during the tournament, sparking curiosity among fans.

Instead, the 18-year-old will continue with the No. 19 jersey, the same number he wore during Spain’s successful Euro 2024 campaign in Germany, despite his growing status as one of the team’s most influential attacking players.

The No. 10 shirt, traditionally reserved for a side’s most creative force, has long carried special significance in world football, often worn by playmakers or leading attackers.

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For Spain in this tournament, however, Dani Olmo, Yamal’s Barcelona teammate, will wear No. 10 for La Roja in North America.

He usually wears No. 20 at Barcelona, and Yamal wears No. 10; however, Olmo’s higher seniority in the national setup gives him priority in Spain’s internal shirt-number selection system.

Spain allocate squad numbers based on seniority, meaning players with more international caps are given preference when choosing available numbers.

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Despite Yamal’s rapid rise since his debut in 2023, Olmo’s 50 appearances for Spain place him ahead in the hierarchy compared to Yamal’s 25 caps. That system explains why Olmo will be wearing No. 10 while Yamal will continue with No. 19.

Yamal, who has quickly become one of Spain’s most important attacking threats, remains central to their plans for the World Cup, even without the symbolic shirt number often associated with football’s greatest playmakers.

READ: Spain’s Lamine Yamal achieves fitness ahead of Cape Verde clash

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed that Lamine Yamal is fit but will begin the European champions’ World Cup 2026 opener against Cape Verde on the bench.

Barcelona superstar Yamal has not played since suffering a hamstring injury on April 22.

There were fears the 18-year-old could miss Spain’s opening two games of the World Cup, but he has trained all week and is set to feature in Atlanta on Monday.

“He is available, but not to start the game. He is in perfect condition to play some minutes,” De la Fuente told a press conference on Sunday.

Wingers Nico Williams and Victor Munoz are also fit enough only for a place on the bench, limiting De La Fuente’s options in wide areas.

“They are fine to play tomorrow without setting them back. If it was not like that they would not even sit on the bench,” added De la Fuente.

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For the first time, Spain head into a World Cup without a single Real Madrid player in the squad. But that could change in the coming days after the Spanish giants reportedly reached an agreement with Chelsea for the signing of Marc Cucurella for 55 million euros ($63 million).

De La Fuente, though, said he was not concerned his players could be distracted by speculation over their future during the tournament.

“I know the commitment, the professionalism they all have. This happened at the Euros, too, with some of our group, and we lived with it. It has not generated any uncomfortable situation,” he added.

“I can guarantee you that no one in the team would jeopardise the good of the team. And if it is good news for Cucu, or anyone else during the tournament, we will celebrate it.”

Despite limited expectations pre-tournament, La Roja stormed to victory at Euro 2024, beating hosts Germany, France and England in the latter stages.

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This time, they are considered among the favourites to win a second World Cup.

De la Fuente did little to quell expectations as he talked his players up as the best squad in the tournament.

“For me, with all due respect to the rest, it is the best team in the world. The best players,” he said. “To see the level of footballers we have, you only have to see the ones I leave out.

“But the players understand their role and accept it. That is the luck this team has.”

After facing tournament debutants Cape Verde, Spain will also take on Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.

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Teenage Barcelona star Lamine Yamal and fellow winger Nico Williams will be available for Spain’s World Cup opener against debutants Cape Verde on June 15, coach Luis de la Fuente said on Sunday.

Yamal and Athletic Bilbao’s Williams both missed the end of the club season with hamstring injuries and their imminent returns will be a big boost to the European champions.

Osasuna winger Victor Munoz is also expected to be fit for Spain’s opening game in Atlanta, although none travelled to Mexico for Monday’s friendly with Peru and instead remained at their training camp in the United States.

“We regret that they are not here with us, but the medical and physical conditioning staff advised them to stay there,” De la Fuente said.

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“All three should be available for the next match… they are progressing well in their recovery and are doing very well.”

Spain will be one of the favourites at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and the 18-year-old Yamal could be one of the star performers.

After facing Cape Verde, Spain will play Saudi Arabia in Atlanta before finishing their group stage campaign against Uruguay in Guadalajara.

READ: FIFA World Cup 2026: Complete squad lists for all 48 nations

Forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams should be fit for Spain’s FIFA World Cup  2026 opener, coach Luis de la Fuente said on Wednesday.

Yamal and Williams both missed the end of the club season due to hamstring injuries, but De la Fuente included them in his World Cup squad anyway, telling reporters last month he expected both to be fit for the global showpiece.

European champions Spain begin their Group H campaign on June 15 against Cape Verde in Atlanta.

“We are perfectly coordinated with the clubs, we are giving them continuation in a programme that was established some time ago and the truth is that the players are improving every day,” De la Fuente said ahead of Thursday’s friendly against Iraq.

He said the injured players were “progressing as expected” but that they would not be involved against Iraq in A Coruna.

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Asked specifically about teenage star Yamal, De la Fuente added: “If everything continues as it has been so far, he could be ready on June 15, but that doesn’t guarantee that he will play.”

Spain will be one of the favourites at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

But De la Fuente insisted the tournament would be “historic because it is the World Cup in which the most teams have a realistic prospect of winning”.

After facing Cape Verde, Spain will play Saudi Arabia on June 21 in Atlanta before finishing their group stage campaign against Uruguay in Guadalajara on June 27.

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Lamine Yamal has been named in the Spain squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, announced by coach Luis de la Fuente on Monday, which also included Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino after his recent return from injury.

For the first time at a World Cup, the Spain squad will not feature a Real Madrid player, with Dean Huijsen dropped and veteran Dani Carvajal also excluded after struggling through an injury-hit campaign.

Merino, a favourite of coach De la Fuente, appeared as a substitute for the Gunners against Crystal Palace on Sunday in their final Premier League match, for his first appearance since January after a foot fracture.

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De La Fuente also called up defenders Eric Garcia and Marc Pubill after impressive seasons with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, respectively, deciding to leave out Huijsen and Atletico’s Robin Le Normand.

Along with teenager Barca star Yamal, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams played a key role as Spain won Euro 2024, and he is in the squad despite a season badly disrupted by fitness issues.

Yamal, 18, is a doubt for the first matches of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury with Barcelona, which has kept him out since late April.

Spain squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)

Defenders: Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Pedri, Gavi (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo)

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Barcelona moved a step closer to winning La Liga with a tight 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo on Wednesday, but lost their goalscorer Lamine Yamal to an apparent hamstring injury.

The teenage Spanish star won and converted a penalty to clinch a narrow triumph, but hurt himself as he took it and was replaced before half-time.

Joao Cancelo also went off injured for a Barca team who moved nine points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table with six matches remaining, including a Clasico on May 10.

“We have to win every game and seal La Liga as soon as possible. It was important to win today,” Pedri told Movistar.

“I hope (Lamine’s injury) is for as few weeks as possible. Tomorrow he’ll be tested, and we’ll see what it is. I wish him the best of luck, and he should stay calm — he’s young and will surely recover well.”

Hansi Flick’s side, playing for the first time since their Champions League quarter-final elimination by Atletico Madrid last week, lacked their usual attacking spark.

Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia saved well from Pablo Duran and Ferran Jutgla in the opening exchanges at Camp Nou.

With little between the teams, it came down to Yamal’s fleet footwork to help Barca open the door.

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The forward skipped into the box, exchanging passes with Dani Olmo, and was felled by Yoel Lago as he tried to evade the Celta defender.

Lamine Yamal beat Ionut Radu with a low penalty, with the goalkeeper diving the right way. However, he pulled up hurt immediately, calling for treatment and lying on the turf as his teammates came over to celebrate.

The match was delayed for over 15 minutes because of a medical incident in the stands at the same time, and when Celta kicked off again, Yamal had been replaced by Roony Bardghji.

Barca battled through the second half without creating much until Ferran Torres lashed home with a volley from Pedri’s pass.

The Catalans’ joy was short-lived, though, as the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside call against the Spanish forward.

Former Barca defender Marcos Alonso smashed a free-kick into the wall as the hosts held on to claim three potentially vital points.

Defeat left Celta seventh and still hoping to qualify for European football next season.

“We were very good in the first half, we had chances and they didn’t have so many… but individual talent made the difference,” said Jutgla. “La Liga is very competitive and we will fight until the end.”

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Barcelona reclaimed top spot in La Liga with a 3-0 win over Real Oviedo on Sunday, thanks to goals from Dani Olmo, Raphinha and an acrobatic Lamine Yamal effort.

After Real Madrid beat Villarreal on Saturday to take pole position overnight, the Catalans edged a point ahead again.

Although Oviedo are bottom of the table with just two victories all season, Barca had to scrap for their victory as the visitors worked hard defensively to keep Hansi Flick’s team at bay until the second half.

Eventually, the hosts’ quality shone at the partially reopened Camp Nou, and after Olmo opened the scoring, Barcelona never looked back.

The pick of the goals was Yamal’s strike, an impressive volley from Olmo’s cross to secure Barca’s triumph.

“I know we didn’t play on our highest level in the first half… but the team has done a fantastic job in the last few weeks, months,” Flick told DAZN.

The coach praised Yamal for his hard work in terms of pressing and also hailed his fine strike.

“It was great… I’m happy that he scored such a (good) goal, and the third goal for us was really important,” added Flick.

Barcelona struggled to make inroads in a dry first half, and their passing was unusually imprecise.

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Injured midfield maestro Pedri Gonzalez watched on from the stands with an unimpressed expression.

Real Oviedo sought to attack on the counter, and Haissem Hassan drew a save from Joan Garcia from a long distance.

At the other end, Aaron Escandell made a fine stop at his near post to thwart Raphinha before half-time.

Barca came out with renewed energy for the second half and soon took the lead.

After Yamal and Raphinha pressed in the box, the ball broke loose to Olmo, who steered home.

Oviedo gave away a poor second goal after 57 minutes, with Raphinha running on to an undercooked back-pass from David Costas and lofting the ball over Escandell.

Barcelona’s third was expertly taken by Yamal, as Olmo’s cross was falling behind him, he produced an eye-catching sideways scissor-kick to wrap up the victory.

A huge downpour hit the stadium, sending fans scurrying as there is no roof yet, and those who remained saw Escandell deny Robert Lewandowski a potential fourth with a fine save.

“I think we were not at our best in the first half, (but) in the second we could score the goals, and that is the most important thing,” said Raphinha.

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Enzo Maresca has played down comparisons between rival teenage wingers Estevao and Lamine Yamal on the eve of Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Barcelona on Tuesday.

Estevao, 18, has caught the eye since arriving at Stamford Bridge in July, with nine goals for club and country.

Chelsea manager Maresca was asked at his pre-match press conference on Monday whether Spain international Yamal, just three months younger than Estevao, would be a good role model for his player.

But the Italian said the Brazilian was already established at the top level despite his tender years.

“Estevao is already playing at a high level, he is already in the starting eleven with Brazil,” Maresca told reporters. “For sure he is very young, he can do many things better, but we are very happy with him.

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“It’s nice for people that love football to watch players like Estevao, like Lamine Yamal, like (Barcelona midfielder) Pedri. This is the beauty of football.”

Maresca said Estevao must shut out the noise.

“He is going to be for sure an important player for this club,” he said. “For the future, no doubt.

“He has to be happy. He has not to think about being better than this player or the other player.

“He has just to be better than himself day by day. Try to work hard, improve.”

Maresca added Chelsea forward Cole Palmer was making good progress after suffering a toe injury but that he was unlikely to be available to face Barcelona or Arsenal this coming weekend.

“Cole is wearing a (protective) boot,” Maresca said. “We don’t know when he will be back but for sure it will be soon.

“He’s already on the pitch, he’s already touching the ball and the feeling (for him) is good.

Barcelona are 11th in the league phase of Europe’s top club competition with seven points after four matches — the same number as Chelsea.

Maresca said he had been strongly influenced by the possession-based style of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, who were twice champions of Europe during the now Manchester City manager’s time in charge at the Nou Camp between 2008 and 2012.

“I decided to be a manager because of Pep’s team, Barcelona, years ago,” explained Maresca.

“Now, if clubs or teams decide with different style, I said many times that any club, any team can decide in the way they want to play. I chose mine years ago and this will be the way I like to watch my team in football and also in the future.”

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Lamine Yamal has been released from the Spain squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches after undergoing treatment, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced Tuesday.

The federation’s medical team announced “their surprise and upset” after discovering on Monday that the 18-year-old “had undergone an invasive radiofrequency procedure to treat his pubic discomfort that same morning”, a statement Tuesday said.

Yamal had been due to report for international duty on Monday for the start of the Spain team’s training camp.

“This procedure was performed without prior notification to the national team’s medical staff, who only learned of the details through a report received… last night (Monday),” the statement added.

The recommended recovery time after such a procedure is seven to 10 days, according to the RFEF statement, with the federation deciding “to release the player from the current squad” to prioritise Yamal’s “health, safety and well-being”.

The Barcelona star has been suffering from a groin problem in recent weeks and was forced to miss Spain’s final round of qualifiers in October.

Spain top Group E with a 100 percent record after four outings, and can book their spot at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico over the next two matchdays.

They take on Georgia on Saturday in Tbilisi, before welcoming Turkey to Seville on November 18.

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Lamine Yamal returned to the Spain squad named on Friday after injury forced Barcelona’s young star to miss last month’s World Cup qualifiers.

The 18-year-old will be featuring in the lineup to face Georgia and Turkey next week.

He was out of Spain’s previous fixtures against Georgia and Bulgaria due to a groin problem.

But after recovering from a groin injury and returning to club duty, Yamal is back in the reckoning to face Georgia on November 15 in Tbilisi, followed by Turkey in Seville three days later.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz is also fit again after recovering from a leg injury suffered in the 2-1 Champions League defeat of Barcelona at the start of October.

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Spain, the European champions, are top of Group E, with automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in their grasp.

While Yamal returns to national duty, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente will be missing his Barca teammate Pedri.

Also out of contention with injury are Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal, Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, and Atletico Madrid defender Robin Le Normand.

Spain squad:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, Álex Remiro and David Raya.

Defenders: Aymeric Laporte, Dani Vivian, Alejandro Grimaldo, Marcos Llorente, Marc Cucurella, Pau Cubarsí, Dean Huijsen and Pedro Porro.

Midfielders: Fabián Ruiz, Martín Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Aleix García, Pablo Barrios, Álex Baena and Pablo Fornals.

Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal, Yeremy Pino, Dani Olmo, Fermín López, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Samu Aghehowa, and Borja Iglesias.

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