ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 15: Lamine Yamal of Spain looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The teenager has been out since April with a hamstring injury but manager Luis de la Fuente confirmed before the match he was fit and available to play.
Cadena SER say that Spain “took a gamble with Yamal” against Cape Verde and that “caution is necessary” because the risk of relapse remains high.
He had to play more than he should have, which is why there were ongoing discussions between the medical staff and De la Fuente.
Spain now face Saudi Arabia next in a game De la Fuente will be desperate to win after such a disappointing start to the competition.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 15: Lamine Yamal of Spain looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images) Getty Images
Lamine Yamal made his return to action on Monday at World Cup 2026 when he came on as a substitute in Spain’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde.
The teenager has been out since April with a hamstring injury but manager Luis de la Fuente confirmed before the match he was fit and available to play.
There had been speculation that Yamal wouldn’t play the opening games of the World Cup, due to the risk of relapse, but he ended up playing 19 minutes against Cape Verde.
Cadena SER say that Spain “took a gamble with Yamal” against Cape Verde and that “caution is necessary” because the risk of relapse remains high.
“There wasn’t a spreadsheet, but there was a recommendation that he play as little as possible. He had to play more than he should have, which is why there were ongoing discussions between the medical staff and De la Fuente. Not because Lamine Yamal is in pain, but because he could relapse,” reports Antón Meana.
Spain now face Saudi Arabia next in a game De la Fuente will be desperate to win after such a disappointing start to the competition. The Spain boss has insisted Yamal is in “perfect condition” but we’ll have to wait and see if he starts on the bench again or returns to the starting XI.
