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Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente has cautioned that likening young sensation Lamine Yamal to footballing greats Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona is a "mistake" that could impede the teenager’s natural growth. Nonetheless, the La Roja boss acknowledged that the Barcelona wonderkid deserves to be mentioned among a select group of “geniuses” alongside historical luminaries such as Michelangelo and Salvador Dali.

‘Genius’ label but no Messi comparison

As Spain gear up for their upcoming clash against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, all eyes remain on 18-year-old Yamal. Following a brief appearance in the opening draw against Cape Verde, there is increasing pressure on De la Fuente to hand the winger a starting spot. However, the coach appears intent on carefully managing both expectations and the youngster’s recovery process.

During a press conference, De la Fuente was asked if Yamal’s evolving role within the Spanish setup mirrors the influence once wielded by Maradona and Messi for Argentina. The coach was quick to dismiss such lofty parallels. “It would be a mistake to compare [Yamal] to anyone,” he remarked. “He’s just 18, still developing and maturing. We must allow him to find his own path. These kinds of players, who possess something unique, are built for it. They’re geniuses, like Salvador Dali or Michelangelo. What seems extraordinary to us feels normal to them.”

Carefully managing Yamal’s fitness

Yamal entered the tournament still regaining full fitness after suffering a muscular injury in April. He featured for only 20 minutes in Spain’s opening game. Although the Ballon d’Or runner-up is eager to make a greater impact, he has admitted that he isn’t yet ready to play an entire match.

De la Fuente remained non-committal regarding Yamal’s potential inclusion in the starting eleven against Saudi Arabia. “We’ll assess that,” he commented. “The best news is that he’s with us. Lamine is in a good moment. Whether he plays 55, 58 or 63 minutes will depend on how the game unfolds. We’ll consider what’s best for the team and for him. You’ll see tomorrow.”

No signs of tension in the Spanish camp

Despite the disappointment of dropping points against underdog opposition in their first outing, De la Fuente insisted the squad remains unified. He dismissed speculation that the media spotlight on Yamal might cause friction with senior players, stressing that the team’s harmony is intact.

“We have a healthy environment,” the coach affirmed. “Everyone understands the importance of every player. We fully grasp Lamine’s role, and so do his teammates. The team feels the sting of criticism, which often becomes motivation. The players read what’s written, they’re upset, and tomorrow you’ll see a different performance.”

A determined outlook ahead

Spain now face a pivotal Group H fixture against Saudi Arabia, with all four teams currently on one point apiece. The European giants must secure a win to keep their qualification hopes on track ahead of their final group match against Uruguay on June 27.

Despite the early frustration, Yamal has maintained an optimistic perspective on Spain’s prospects. “It’s our first World Cup match and we’ve got a point,” the Barcelona star wrote on social media. “We know it’s a long tournament, and our main goal is still ahead. We’ll keep working hard, and everything will go as we hope—there’s no doubt about that.”