Luis de la Fuente compares Lamine Yamal to artistic geniuses
ESPN Soccer • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 20, 2026, 10:48 PM
Last updated Jun 20, 2026
Spain's national coach Luis de la Fuente has praised 18-year-old Lamine Yamal ahead of their World Cup match against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta. De la Fuente remarked on Yamal's extraordinary talent, claiming that while many view his skills as exceptional, Yamal perceives them as normal. The coach asserted that comparisons to great players like Lionel Messi should be avoided, instead likening Yamal's genius to that of Salvador Dalí and Michelangelo. Yamal's potential and prior injury, which kept him out of action since April, have positioned him as a pivotal figure for the Spanish team in the tournament.
- •Luis de la Fuente speaks about Lamine Yamal's talent ahead of a key match.
- •Yamal is fit to start against Saudi Arabia in their World Cup fixture.
- •De la Fuente compares Yamal's genius to that of Dalí and Michelangelo.
- •Yamal's recovery from injury has been crucial for Spain's World Cup hopes.
- •Spain's match against Saudi Arabia takes place in Atlanta.
- 12:39 AMESPN Soccer — Spain coach: A mistake to compare Yamal to Messi
- 10:48 PMThe Guardian Sport — Lamine Yamal a genius ‘like Dalí or Michelangelo’, says Spain’s De la Fuente
"‘What we think is exceptional, they consider normal’ Coach says Lamine Yamal fit to start against Saudi Arabia Luis de la Fuente urged people not to compare Lamine Yamal to Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona or “anyone”, but did compare him to Salvador Dalí and Michelangelo – “geniuses” for whom the exceptional comes naturally. On the eve of their second World Cup game, against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, it was put to the Spain coach that Lamine Yamal is confronted by a process similar to those faced by Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona but at the age of 18. His image is everywhere in the United States, a global figure already, and the buildup to the selección’s participation at the tournament has been dominated by his availability after an injury he suffered in April – a teenager cast as their hope and salvation. Continue reading...
"Spain coach Luis de la Fuente didn't confirm whether Lamine Yamal will make his first World Cup start on Sunday, while urging caution when comparing the Barcelona star to legends like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerJun 21, 2026, 12:39 AMSpain coach: A mistake to compare Yamal to Messi
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente didn't confirm whether Lamine Yamal will make his first World Cup start on Sunday, while urging caution when comparing the Barcelona star to legends like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.
- The Guardian SportJun 20, 2026, 10:48 PMLamine Yamal a genius ‘like Dalí or Michelangelo’, says Spain’s De la Fuente
‘What we think is exceptional, they consider normal’ Coach says Lamine Yamal fit to start against Saudi Arabia Luis de la Fuente urged people not to compare Lamine Yamal to Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona or “anyone”, but did compare him to Salvador Dalí and Michelangelo – “geniuses” for whom the exceptional comes naturally. On the eve of their second World Cup game, against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, it was put to the Spain coach that Lamine Yamal is confronted by a process similar to those faced by Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona but at the age of 18. His image is everywhere in the United States, a global figure already, and the buildup to the selección’s participation at the tournament has been dominated by his availability after an injury he suffered in April – a teenager cast as their hope and salvation. Continue reading...
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