Spain’s Yamal says ‘very early, unnecessary’ to play full World Cup match

Lamine Yamal stated on November 15, 2023, that it was "very early" and "unnecessary" for him to play a full 90-minute match, despite being called up to the Spanish national team for their upcoming games. Yamal, who is 16 years old, made this comment ahead of Spain's match against Saudi Arabia. He acknowledged his inclusion in the squad but expressed a preference for managing his playing time carefully at this stage of his career. Yamal has already made significant strides, becoming the youngest player to debut for Barcelona's senior team at 15 years and 290 days old on April 23, 2023. He also became the youngest goalscorer in La Liga history on May 12, 2023, scoring against Villarreal. His rapid ascent has drawn comparisons to legendary players, but he emphasized his focus on development and avoiding premature burnout. The decision on his playing time rests with the coaching staff, led by Luis de la Fuente, who must balance integrating the young talent with the demands of international competition.