Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente is facing a tactical dilemma as the 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal remains a major doubt for the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against Cape Verde.
The Barcelona winger suffered a muscle injury during a La Liga clash against Celta Vigo. While Barcelona confirmed his season was over to prioritize his recovery, the young star’s fitness level for the group stages in North America is still under intense scrutiny.
The “Dani Olmo Scenario”: De la Fuente’s Strategic Plan
Despite the risk of Yamal missing the initial matches, De la Fuente is considering a strategy similar to the one used with Dani Olmo during Euro 2024. Olmo arrived at that tournament carrying an injury but became the decisive factor during the knockout stages.
“It is not always necessary for a player to be ready from the first whistle; we must evaluate their impact in specific moments,” De la Fuente stated when asked about Yamal.
The coach elaborated: “Olmo arrived injured at Euro 2024, and we almost left him out. Yet, he was clinical in the knockouts. Some players might not give you 60 minutes but can provide 20 excellent minutes that change the game. Our priority is to have the best team possible for the decisive moments.”
Recovery Timeline and Expected Return
Initial medical estimates suggested a recovery period of 4 to 6 weeks. However, recent updates indicate that the rehabilitation process might be extended to ensure no long-term damage to the teenager’s career.
Current Status:
- Vs Cape Verde (June 15): Highly unlikely to feature.
- Vs Saudi Arabia (June 21): Potential appearance as a second-half substitute.
- Vs Uruguay (June 27): Expected to be 100% fit for this high-stakes group finale.
