Spain’s Yamal says he feared missing the World Cup

Spanish national team star Lamine Yamal said on Sunday that he had been “afraid” of missing the World Cup because of the hamstring injury he is still recovering from.

The 18‑year‑old sustained the injury while scoring a penalty for Barcelona against Celta Vigo on 22 April.

“Internally I was praying it was nothing, that it was just cramp or something like that, because the World Cup was very close and I knew that a hamstring injury is never a short‑term thing,” the winger told the Spanish football federation’s media outlet.

“I was afraid it might be serious and, above all, that even if it wasn’t serious, I could suffer a setback and end up missing the World Cup.”

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is hopeful that Yamal will be available for La Roja’s opening match at the World Cup against Cape Verde on 15 June.

On Sunday, the player warmed up with his teammates in Spain’s first training session before heading to the gym for work.

“It’s also true that it helps knowing you’re going to play a World Cup, so mentally it’s like you haven’t played a single game all season, and I’m really eager to make my debut at the tournament,” he added.

Yamal, who starred as Spain won Euro 2024 in Germany, said the World Cup is the “biggest thing” in football and that he has dreamt “a thousand times” about lifting the trophy.

If Yamal does not play in the first match, he is expected to feature against Saudi Arabia on 21 June and Uruguay on 27 June in the remaining Group H fixtures.

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