De la Fuente Defends Yamal — the Real Pressure Hasn't Even Started Yet

Luis de la Fuente has come out swinging in defense of Lamine Yamal, pushing back against criticism of the teenager's off-field life. But his message goes beyond just defending his star winger — it's a warning that the scrutiny players face now is nothing compared to what's coming.

"He's been treated very unfairly," De la Fuente said in an interview with RNE. "When people start focusing on things like partying, turning 18... it really hurts me that it's always valued whether a footballer has a car or a girlfriend."

The Spain boss was quick to paint the full picture of Yamal's daily grind. "He trains for three hours a day, then an hour with a personal trainer, a psychologist, a nutritionist, a rehabilitation specialist — and then there's the 'invisible' training. After all that, one day he'll have the right to have a party."

And if the scrutiny feels intense now, De la Fuente knows it will only multiply once the World Cup arrives. Every player on his squad — Yamal included — will be under a microscope like never before. That's exactly why, in the months leading up to the tournament, they should be free to decompress and live their lives without judgment.

As for the World Cup itself, De la Fuente is embracing the pressure. "It is a pride that they say we are capable of winning the World Cup, and we feel capable of winning it," he said, naming Argentina, Brazil, France, England, Portugal, Morocco, and Senegal as the teams in contention alongside Spain.

The message is clear: trust the process, respect the work — and let them be human while they still can.