Spain coach, Luis de la Fuente, has opted to start teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, on the bench for La Roja’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against debutants Cape Verde on Monday.
The decision comes as Spain, one of the tournament favourites, faces the minnows Cape Verde at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
In a post shared on X on Monday by transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano, the Barcelona star was named among the substitutes for the Group H clash, despite earlier assurances about his fitness.
Spain coach De la Fuente previously stated in his pre-match press conference, “Lamine Yamal is in PERFECT conditions,” confirming the 18-year-old’s readiness to contribute at the highest level after recovering from a recent injury.
Football enthusiasts on social media reacted swiftly to the news, with many interpreting the move as a cautious approach to managing the youngster’s workload in a long tournament.
One user, #3Chiefosis96, noted,
This post was originally published on this site.
