Lamine Yamal: Hamstring Injury Forced Me to Think About World Cup

Spain star Lamine Yamal says he needs more time to recover from injury

Lamine Yamal played 25 minutes in Spain’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde and admits he still needs time to reach full fitness during the 2026 World Cup.

Lamine Yamal addresses fitness concerns after Spain’s 0-0 with Cape Verde...

Spain winger Lamine Yamal said he’s still working his way back to full fitness after injury. The 18-year-old admitted he’s not quite at 100% yet. 

He played 25 minutes in Spain’s match after returning from the layoff, but stressed he still needs more time to reach his best level.

Spain meet Saudi Arabia on Sunday, and Lamine’s recovery is now the main talking point. The European champions want to kickstart a tournament that started flat instead of firing.

“I'm fine, I'm feeling good, but ⁠it's too soon, it's ‌unnecessary; I'm still settling in - it's not the right time to play a full match yet - but I can play for as many minutes as the manager wants," Lamine told Spanish public television TVE.

“I want to be on the pitch; at the end of the day, even if you know ⁠you can’t play for 90 minutes, you always want to get out there and help the team.”

Lamine was key to Spain’s record fourth Euros title in 2024. He said the hamstring setback naturally forced him to focus on the World Cup.

“All players in the final stages of the season – with every injury, you think about the World Cup, and obviously about your team, but the World Cup is always on your mind,” he said.

“After I've heard about the injury, thank God the doctors told me I was going to be ready, and here we are, happy. I hope I never get injured again.”

Spain’s 0-0 with Cape Verde drew criticism, but Lamine said there’s no need to turn it into a crisis.

¡Último entreno y volvemos a Atlanta!#VamosEspaña | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/hsdy0ebIHu

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 19, 2026

“It's best to move on,” he said. “There was ‌a bit of a fuss over a draw, but in the end lots of teams have struggled in the first round – it doesn't mean anything.

“Obviously, we have to win on Sunday because we're among the favourites, but just ⁠because you've drawn doesn't ⁠mean you're one of the ‌worst teams in the World Cup.”