Sacachispas · Goalkeeper · #0 · Argentina · 36 yrs
SPECIAL REPORT: After two comparative surprise packages at international level, Luis De La Fuente and Lionel Scaloni, won the last Euros and World Cup at the expense of more established names, Miguel Delaney finds out what national teams are really looking for and the process behind picking a manager
After two comparative surprise packages at international level, Luis De La Fuente and Lionel Scaloni, won the last Euros and World Cup at the expense of more established names, Miguel Delaney finds out what national teams are really looking for and the process behind picking a manager
WORLD CUP 2026: Though many saw Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph as a move away from the famed ‘tiki-taka’ style, Chris Wilson argues that Luis de la Fuente has simply created a more modern version – that could lead La Roja to another World Cup
Spain wrapped up their preparations for the World Cup with a win over Peru, while Luis de la Fuente's squad are all available for selection. The post De La Fuente insists all Spain players are ‘in perfect condition’ appeared first on SoccerNews.
Currently recovering from his injury, FC Barcelona have reportedly set some conditions to Spain national team for Lamine Yamal's participation in the 2026 World Cup. Lamine Yamal suffered an injury late in FC Barcelona‘s season that has disrupted his preparation ahead of the 2026 World Cup, leaving him heading into the tournament without competitive match time under his belt. With Spain‘s opening game fast approaching, the Blaugrana have reportedly outlined a series of conditions governing how Yamal is used during the competition. The injury occurred on April 22 against Celta Vigo, when Yamal sustained a hamstring tear in his left leg and has been sidelined since, though his participation in the World Cup was never considered to be in jeopardy. To keep a close eye on his recovery, the forward has been accompanied by FC Barcelona‘s external physiotherapist Fernando Galán, who has been visiting him every Monday to monitor his progress. According to Diario AS, Barcelona’s expectation is that Yamal could make his return to competitive action in Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15. Assuming no setbacks, the six-week recovery window would be complete by that point, clearing him from a medical standpoint. Barcelona’s roadmap for Yamal during the World Cup Even with the medical clearance in sight, Barcelona’s position is that Yamal’s return to the pitch should be gradual. The final call will rest with Spain’s coaching staff, but the Blaugrana’s hope is that his playing time increases progressively across the group stage depending on how the team is faring in the early games. Lamine Yamal of Spain controls the ball while under pressure from Ahmed Fatouh of Egypt. The club’s preferred blueprint is for Yamal to play approximately 15 minutes against Cape Verde, around 60 minutes against Saudi Arabia, and then be in a position to complete the full 90 against Uruguay in the final group stage fixture. For now, Yamal is continuing his rehabilitation program with the medical staff and will not feature in Spain’s final pre-tournament friendly against Peru in Mexico, remaining at the team’s base camp in Tennessee to complete his recovery. With Yamal sidelined alongside Nico Williams and Víctor Muñoz, coach Luis de la Fuente expressed optimism that all three could be available for the tournament opener. “All three are within the timeframe to be able to arrive in good condition to play on the 15th; we don’t know the exact minutes, but Lamine’s injury was different from Nico’s and Victor’s. Each one has their own process and duration, but the most important thing is that within the parameters we have, they can be met for the 15th,” he told reporters after arriving in Puebla.
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will miss Spain's friendly against Peru, but both are expected to be involved in their first World Cup match. The post Yamal and Williams will feature in Spain’s World Cup opener if no setbacks – De la Fuente appeared first on SoccerNews.
Due to his surprising breakthrough in soccer, Lamine Yamal is being constantly compared to Lionel Messi, as two geniuses of the sport. In response, Spain’s Luis de la Fuente has given his opinion on the comparison between both players, placing them in the same category. Lamine Yamal has managed to become, in just two years, one of the best players in the world. Not only is he the leader of Barcelona, but also of Spain. Following this, he has drawn numerous comparisons with Lionel Messi, as he has already written his name into soccer history. In response, head coach Luis de la Fuente gives his perspective on the comparison between the Argentine and the Spaniard, placing them in the same category. “Lamine was born for this. He has a daring character. Maybe that [pressure] would have overwhelmed you or me. But these guys are special…Soccer players are people of high ability, so intelligent. They are geniuses and then there are those that are touched by God’s wand and there are very few of those. Lamine, Messi,” Luis de la Fuente said, via The Guardian. Even though most players and coaches already compare Lamine Yamal to Messi, the 18-year-old star has chosen to remain distant from the comparisons, making it clear that he wants to write his own legacy. While their playing styles differ from the Argentine’s, both manage to have an all-around impact on the pitch, though the Spaniard star leans more toward dribbling, carving out his own path. With the 2026 World Cup just days away, a meeting between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi could still happen. While one is close to retirement and the other is just beginning his career, both remain among the best players in the world and could deliver a historic duel. However, the 18-year-old star still has much to prove in soccer, meaning the comparison may not make sense at this stage, but could in a few years. Lamine Yamal of Spain. Lamine Yamal set for a career-defining moment at 2026 World Cup Despite being only 18 years old, Lamine Yamal already has an impressive résumé in his sporting career. Not only has he won three LaLiga titles with Barcelona, but he also won the 2024 UEFA Euro with Spain. With his professional career on a rapid upward trajectory, he could be facing a unique opportunity to become a consolidated star on the international stage, standing out at the 2026 World Cup. In the event of winning the World Cup title, Lamine would surpass Kylian Mbappé as a young winner of the tournament, moving into sixth place, with Pelé at the top of the list at 17 years and 249 days. In addition, he could become the youngest player to win the tournament’s Golden Boot if he manages to excel in terms of goal scoring. Far from being just another tournament, Yamal could establish among the elite of the sport, just as happened with Kylian in 2018.
Lamine Yamal’s World Cup hopes have received a major boost, with Spain boss Luis de la Fuente offering an encouraging update on the Barcelona winger’s recovery.The 18-year-old has been out of acti...
Spain manager on the values behind the nation’s coaching culture, the joy of teaching and Lamine Yamal’s otherworldly talentsOn the ground floor of the Spanish football federation’s headquarters in Las Rozas are two classrooms covered with photos of everyone who has played for la selección. More than 800 men are there, frames spilling into the corridor, but the coach who leads them to the World Cup is not. Luis de la Fuente’s international playing career took him only as far as the under-21s so his picture is missing, which is a pity – “I used to have hair like this,” he claims, hands recreating flowing locks – but he knows this place well. This is where he taught; it is also, he says, where he learned, his pupils not alone in going on to big things.The 2024 European Championship-winning coach settles into a sofa in a small room on the floor above. His squad named, these are the final days before flying to Chattanooga. Days of excitement and to “judge the load” as players clock in: 20 on the first day, Pedro Porro the next and Yéremy Pino the day after, then Mikel Merino and finally those who played in the Champions League final. Days to take it all in – “I’m so happy to be going to a World Cup” – and to take pride too. Continue reading...
Gavi described what he thought when he got injured, which almost left him out of Spain's team for the World Cup. After Spain’s squad was announced by Luis de la Fuente, his place at the World Cup was confirmed despite having missed a significant amount of time at Barcelona through injury, with Gavi reflecting on the moment in a conversation shared by the Spanish Federation. Gavi said: “I went in thinking I would be out for four or five weeks, and when I came out of the anesthesia, they told me it would be four or five months. I remember even the doctor had to leave because I was about to explode.” The midfielder went through a two-year stretch in which he barely played. The injury he was referring to was a torn meniscus suffered in a training session with Barcelona last August before returning in March, but he had also torn his ACL in November 2023 with Spain. Gavi getting back to the highest level proved worth all the time he spent recovering from injuries that could have ended his career. The call-up for Spain For the midfielder, the sport has many great things, but also some tough ones: “Soccer is the best thing there is, but there are injuries that can easily end your career. I have always had that ambition in my mind and that dream that no one can beat me.” Gavi got injured during a training session last year (Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images) The player could be the clearest example of resilience through injury, because he had been expected to be called up for the Euro that Spain won in 2024 during his rise, until he got hurt, which made this call-up an anxious wait for him. Gavi said: “I didn’t want to watch the call-up because I always get nervous. I saw it there with the physios. When I heard my name, it was a huge rush of happiness. Representing Spain at the World Cup is one of the greatest things there is. Being called up to my second one is a huge pride.” Gavi’s season with Barcelona It was just the beginning for Barcelona when Gavi went down in a training session after two La Liga matches, with a future that did not look promising. Even if he was not able to play too much, it was enough to convince de la Fuente. The midfielder finished with 13 matches, with 0 goals and 1 assist.
Barcelona is the single-most represented club in the Spanish national team with as many as eight players being called up by Luis de la Fuente for the premier event.Of all the names, however, Gavi’s ...
