Spain coach, Luis de la Fuente, has described Lamine Yamal as a future legend after the teenager continued his remarkable scoring form in the 3-1 Nations League victory over Czechia on Saturday.
Yamal, 19, opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a trademark effort, cutting inside onto his left foot before curling the ball into the top corner to give Spain an early lead.
De la Fuente was visibly stunned by the strike, placing both hands on his head as he turned towards the Spain bench.
“Lamine never stops surprising us — all of us,” de la Fuente said in a news conference after the victory when asked about his reaction to the goal.
“He has so much talent and so much quality. He still has a lot to offer us, too, and there is a long way to go to until we see the best Lamine, even if he is making giant strikes all the time.”
The Barcelona winger has now scored in three consecutive matches for Spain for the first time, finding the net four times in his last three appearances.
His latest goal also extended his run of scoring early, having struck in the second minute against both England and Croatia in the previous week.
Yamal has contributed 19 goals and assists, including 12 goals, for club and country since August 31, the highest tally by any player from a club in Europe’s top five leagues during that period.
His outstanding form has strengthened his case for the Ballon d’Or, with the award set to be presented later this month.
“If he was the only Spanish player nominated for the Ballon d’Or, I would say yes, he’s best in the world,” de la Fuente added.
“He does everything well. If he’s not the best, then it’s because of competition from the other Spanish players, and even then he’s one of the best for sure.
“Lamine is on the path to becoming a legend.”
Yamal, who started all three of Spain’s matches during the international break, was substituted at half-time with Spain leading 2-0 following his goal and Rodri’s strike.
Spain’s performance dipped after the winger’s withdrawal, allowing Czechia to reduce the deficit through Jiri Sláma and threaten an equaliser.
Ryan Naderi also had a goal ruled out for offside following an error by David Raya, before Mikel Merino secured the victory late on after Czechia’s Ladislav Krejcí was sent off.
“The first half went very well, but the second didn’t,” de la Fuente conceded.
“The substitutions didn’t really help either. Everyone’s attitude was good, but when you keep bringing on players — new faces — it doesn’t help maintain continuity in the game.
“Then again, four matches in 10 days is tough. Today it was about winning and putting in a good performance, but also about protecting the players.”
