'Role model' Yamal continues to delight Spain staff and team-mates

Lamine Yamal is already a "role model" for Spain, despite his tender years, so says coach Luis de la Fuente.

Yamal has enjoyed another fantastic year for both club and country.

He registered 41 goal involvements in all competitions last season for Barcelona, as the Blaugrana successfully defended their LaLiga crown.

Yamal then went on to play a key role as Spain followed up their Euro 2024 triumph by winning the World Cup.

Spain have made a flying start to their Nations League campaign, winning all three of their games, and Yamal is their leading scorer, with four goals.

And De la Fuente says Yamal is already an inspiration for the rest of La Roja's squad, despite only being 19.

"Lamine always wants to play, like all the players. We evaluate and analyse whether it's advisable or not," De la Fuente told reporters ahead of Tuesday's clash with Croatia.

"Lamine is in fantastic form. He's a role model and a born competitor. He's in good shape to play the match. But so are other team-mates, who are all in perfect condition.

"Lamine wants to be the best. He's very competitive, and that's normal; he has the anxiety of a genius who always wants to be at the level he knows he can achieve."

De la Fuente's sentiment was echoed by Dani Olmo, who plays alongside Yamal at Barca.

Olmo said: "Lamine continues to improve with each match. He seems to be getting better and more mature every season.

"At the start of this season, he's helping us not only with his play but also by scoring goals, which is something he demands of himself. He's very important for us both at the club and with the national team."

Yamal has already scored eight goals and laid on six assists in eight appearances for Barca this season.