Spain star Lamine Yamal has admitted he is not yet ready to play a full 90 minutes as he continues his recovery from the injury he suffered with Barcelona at the end of last season, ahead of La Roja’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup clash against Saudi Arabia.
Spain head into Sunday’s Group H encounter under pressure after dropping points in their opening match against Cape Verde, making victory essential to strengthen their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
The 19-year-old featured as a substitute in Spain’s first game but was unable to help his side secure the desired result. Despite his importance to the team, Yamal has urged caution over his return to full fitness.
Speaking to Spanish state television RTVE, the Barcelona winger explained that he does not want to rush his comeback.
“I don’t think I’m ready to play a full match. It’s still too early, and there’s no need to rush,” Yamal said.
“I am still going through the adaptation phase, and it is not the right time to play a full 90 minutes, but I can participate in the minutes that the coach sees fit.”
The young forward admitted that suffering an injury so close to the World Cup was mentally challenging, with the global tournament constantly in his thoughts during rehabilitation.
“Every player in the final stage of the season thinks about the World Cup when he suffers any injury, and of course he also thinks about his club, but the World Cup remains present in his mind,” he added.
Yamal revealed that reassurance from the medical staff helped him remain calm throughout his recovery.
“Thank God the doctors told me that I would be fully ready to participate, and here I am now, very happy.”
The teenager also praised teammate Nico Williams, acknowledging that the Athletic Club winger is currently in better physical condition.
“Nico is physically better than me at the moment. There’s no need to rush, we have a great team with high-level players, so we should take things calmly,” Yamal said.
Despite the growing attention surrounding him during the World Cup in the United States, Yamal insisted he remains focused on delivering performances on the pitch.
“I’m taking it calmly, it’s nothing different for me. I know my place in Spain and abroad. I always try to perform at my best because that’s what people expect from me.”
With Spain needing a strong response against Saudi Arabia, all eyes will be on whether Yamal can make a decisive impact from the bench as he continues his gradual return to peak condition.
