'Lamine Yamal has shown impressive maturity'

Luis de la Fuente has led Spain to become one of the leading contenders for next year's World Cup. In the first two qualifying matches, they comfortably dispatched their rivals (3-0 against Bulgaria and 6-0 against Turkey) and are edging closer to the 2026 tournament. The 'La Roja' coach spoke on Tuesday about some of the key figures in the squad.

The most prominent, the name on everyone's lips, is Lamine Yamal. De la Fuente continues to defend the Barcelona youth product, now a star, as he has done from day one. "The external image is one thing, Lamine Yamal's inner self is another," he said on 'El Larguero' on 'Cadena SER'.

"He has shown impressive maturity, which is not easy at all. He's a kid and he's learning, but I'm amazed by the insights he gives you," confessed the 'La Roja' manager about a player who has been criticised for his image off the pitch.

De la Fuente also spoke about the quality of his squad: "Lamine Yamal has the potential to be the best in the world, but what about Mikel Merino, Fabian, Pedri...? We are fortunate to have many players who are the best in the world in their position."

Another notable name was Laporte, essential at the European Championship but without opportunities now, especially after his move to Athletic Club was finally rejected: "What I want is for him to be competing at the highest level. On a personal level, I want to see him happy, and he isn't right now."

In the same position are two gems like Huijsen and Cubarsi: "They could easily be the centre-back pairing for the national team. Cubarsi already has a lot of experience and matches under his belt. Huijsen is outrageous: his composure, his maturity."

The match against Turkey was, in De la Fuente's eyes, "the best version of the team that has been seen so far", but "it's not the ceiling". "The group is tireless and always accepts that things need to be done better."

"In the national team there is no clash of egos because they are all good people, I know them very well. I select people who I know will fit into a project," he argued.

Gavi's injury

De la Fuente also updated on the physical condition of Gavi, who could not attend the last Spain call-up due to a knee injury. In principle, he will be out for three weeks, although it could be much longer.

"He is awaiting a possible operation. These things happen in life and in football. I spoke to him in the morning. He is sad, worried, and waiting to see if the meniscus operation will take place or not. But he is a very strong player with a lot of character. It is from these situations that one truly emerges stronger," he explained.