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Even before the start of the World Cup, those close to the Spain camp can already sense the determination within the group. Lamine Yamal, the teenage sensation, is being described as “totally undaunted”.

As he races to recover in time for Spain’s opening World Cup fixture against Cape Verde on 15 June, special attention has been given to his rehabilitation. The 18-year-old suffered a grade two hamstring injury towards the end of April — a strain that, while not severe, carries a high risk of recurrence if not cautiously managed.

Encouragingly, Yamal’s recovery has been progressing well, and he now appears on course to feature in that first match in Atlanta.

This progress has come thanks to a disciplined approach — including Barcelona’s insistence that he skip the friendly against Peru in Mexico, choosing instead to remain in Chattanooga, Tennessee. That restraint marks a stark contrast to the rapid acceleration of his career so far.

At just 18, Lamine Yamal has already shattered countless records and defied expectations, much like the way he glides past defenders on the pitch. In that respect, there has been absolutely no holding back.

Yamal brings something fresh and almost unseen before — not just in the way he dribbles through tight spaces, bends passes with the outside of his foot, or delivers those signature curling crosses with his instep.

Never before has a teenager entered a World Cup as the best player in the world, expected to dominate the tournament.

There have been prodigies before — from a 17-year-old Pele dazzling the world in 1958 to Kylian Mbappe’s breakout as a 19-year-old in 2018 — yet Yamal’s situation feels different.

Mbappe’s own experience, where he briefly wore football’s crown before being surpassed, highlights how rare Yamal’s current standing truly is.

He heads into this World Cup with the same aura that Pele had in 1970, Johan Cruyff in 1974, Roberto Baggio in 1998, Ronaldo in 2002, or Diego Maradona in 1986.

The Barcelona playmaker is already regarded by many as the best player in the world and now faces the ultimate stage to confirm it — to seize the moment and cement his legacy.

Unlike those legendary predecessors — who were, on average, 27 years old during their defining tournaments — Yamal is nearly a decade younger.

The immense anticipation surrounding the youngster reflects how football itself has evolved into a faster, more physically demanding sport — one that increasingly favours youthful energy for high-intensity pressing systems.

This is also connected to the injury he is recovering from. Muscle strains like his often result from overuse, and in the modern era, exceptional young players are playing more minutes than ever before, even while still physically maturing.

If the best player in the world is meant to symbolise the state of the game, then Yamal does exactly that — he embodies the new generation.

There’s still a hint of nervousness about his condition, reminiscent of Lionel Messi’s fitness concerns before the 2014 World Cup or Zinedine Zidane’s in 2002. It’s difficult to use the usual phrase “ready to step up”, because Yamal is still on the journey there — still developing, still learning.

His injury sparked a wave of national anxiety in Spain, similar to what English fans experienced with David Beckham in 2002 and Wayne Rooney in 2006. The hopes of an entire country suddenly rested on the hamstring of a teenager.

Radio programmes invited medical experts to dissect the way he fell and even how he walked off the pitch. Within LaLiga circles, there was palpable tension the morning after, as everyone awaited Barcelona’s official diagnosis.

Thankfully, the recovery time was estimated at six weeks, though accompanied by a cautionary note about potential risks.

The reaction revealed much about Spanish football culture itself.

While the World Cup has never before seen such a teenage superstar, Spain too has never had a talent quite like this. The 2010 world champions have produced numerous world-class players in recent years, yet none who were unanimously considered the best in the world.

Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta came close to winning the Ballon d’Or during the Messi-Ronaldo era, but Spain still only boasts two winners — Luis Suarez in 1960 and Rodri in 2024.

Even Rodri’s award was more a recognition of consistency and leadership than of being the undisputed best.

Yamal, however, was already being discussed in those terms last year when he finished second to Ousmane Dembele. He later admitted that losing out may have been beneficial for his hunger and growth. Reports from Inter Milan players after their 2025 Champions League semi-final even suggested they believed Yamal was better than Messi at the same age.

That doesn’t necessarily mean he will surpass Messi, but Spain can count itself fortunate to have a player of such rare brilliance. Yamal has that intangible ability to make things happen on his own — a true game-changer. And unlike in previous generations, Barcelona didn’t have to wait long for another superstar to emerge.

England, for all its recent promise, has yet to produce a player of that calibre — though there are whispers of a similar rising star in 17-year-old Max Dowman, a contemporary of Yamal’s.

For now, though, this is Yamal’s moment. It’s no wonder Spain felt such collective anxiety over his injury.

Almost all of Spain, that is — as Real Madrid circles remained largely preoccupied with their own club matters. That insular attitude has even fuelled debates about Yamal’s personality and professionalism.

Some within Barcelona suspect that certain negative stories about him have been deliberately circulated. While there have been minor criticisms about his entourage and his attitude toward commercial commitments, one must remember — he’s still just 18.

And this teenager now has the World Cup at his feet, seemingly ready to shoulder the immense expectations placed upon him.

Yamal’s personal background adds another layer to his story. With both his parents born in Africa, he represents a more diverse and modern Spain. Unfortunately, that has also drawn unwanted political commentary amid the country’s rising far-right sentiment.

Yamal has handled such issues with remarkable maturity. When fans at Espanyol’s stadium chanted an anti-Muslim song, he voiced his outrage publicly without hesitation. He also drew attention for holding a Palestine flag during Barcelona’s title celebrations.

Today, this 18-year-old dreams of lifting the Spanish flag high again — this time as a World Cup champion, just as he did after Euro 2024.

He turned 17 during Spain’s victorious Euro 2024 campaign, breaking several records along the way. Now, though, injury concerns have created fresh doubts.

Still, there’s a chance that this brief setback might prove beneficial. After two relentless years of football, the rest could help him peak later in the tournament — a worrying prospect for Spain’s opponents.

Yamal may not yet be at full fitness, but the determination is unmistakable. This could truly become his World Cup. He remains completely unfazed by the challenge — mentally, he’s already there.