Spain: federation president raves about Lamine Yamal

Just hours before Spain kicks off their World Cup 2026 campaign against Cape Verde, Lamine Yamal is receiving high praise from the Spanish Football Federation.

Spain faces Cape Verde this Monday in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Lamine Yamal could make his debut in the sport's biggest tournament, two years after winning the Euros with Spain. The FC Barcelona winger is already a star and is under immense pressure. That pressure isn’t something the president of the Spanish Federation, Rafael Louzan, is trying to downplay.

Speaking to AFP, the head of Spanish football called Yamal "a global football icon" and sees him as one of the greats. "The next step is for him to take over from Messi and Ronaldo," he added. But: "he's only 18, and those two (Messi and Ronaldo) needed time."

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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