The exceptionally long international break is drawing to a close, leaving Barcelona boss Hansi Flick with a tricky balancing act. While stars like Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon have shone on international duty, their heavy workloads will be a major concern ahead of a demanding domestic schedule.
Luis de la Fuente has told his Spain players to ignore recent results and prepare for a battle against a world-class Croatia side in the UEFA Nations League. The La Roja boss believes their opponents remain one of the most formidable forces in international football despite recent setbacks.
Ex-Brazil international Anderson has told GOAL why the likes of Vinicius Junior may have earned “superstar” status prematurely, with any player that has “five good games” suddenly worth “200 million” in modern football. The former Manchester United midfielder continues to use Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the blueprint for what success really looks like.
Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has heaped praise on Lamine Yamal, claiming the teenager's incredible start to the current Liga season is far from normal. Having previously witnessed the rise of Lionel Messi firsthand, the iconic Spanish midfielder admitted he is completely blown away by the young winger's extraordinary talent.
Lamine Yamal is “different”, fellow Golden Boy award winner Anderson has told GOAL, with there “no one” close to the Barcelona wonderkid when it comes to the hottest prospects in world football. The Spain international winger, who now has a World Cup win on his ever-expanding roll of honour, is considered to be a serious contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente declared that Lamine Yamal is en route to earning "legend status" after scoring in a 3-1 win over Czechia. However, the manager warned that upcoming opponents Croatia will possess "stung pride" following a 7-0 loss to England.
Luis de la Fuente's side maintained their perfect start to the UEFA Nations League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Czechia. Early dominance put the hosts in control, and despite a second-half scare, a late finish secured all three points to keep them firmly at the top of Group 3.
Spain have maintained their perfect start to the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign by securing a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Czechia in Oviedo on Saturday. Early first-half goals from Lamine Yamal and Rodri set Spain on their way, before Mikel Merino sealed the result late on to keep them at the top of Group 3 with nine points, sitting comfortably ahead of England.
Marc Cucurella has called for patience following Real Madrid’s underwhelming start to the new campaign under Jose Mourinho. The Spanish international, who swapped Chelsea for the Santiago Bernabeu in a high-profile summer switch, insists that the team needs time to adapt to their new manager’s philosophy.
Barcelona and Spain sensation Lamine Yamal has opened up on his quest for the Ballon d'Or, suggesting that his youth might actually count against him in the final voting. The teenage winger believes that while he is already performing at an elite level, voters often succumb to the idea that younger players have plenty of time to win the award later in their careers.
Luis de la Fuente has hinted that he could rest Lamine Yamal for Spain's upcoming fixture against the Czech Republic on Saturday as he prioritises player welfare amid a gruelling schedule. The La Roja boss emphasised that the Barcelona wonderkid remains a vital asset regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench.
Josko Gvardiol has delivered a candid assessment of Lamine Yamal's unstoppable talent following Croatia’s humbling 4-1 defeat at the hands of Spain. The Manchester City defender admitted that the Barcelona sensation is almost impossible to contain, even when the youngster is not performing at his absolute peak.
Luis de la Fuente has lauded the selfless nature of Lamine Yamal’s "magic" after the teenage superstar spearheaded a dominant 4-1 victory for Spain against Croatia. The Barcelona winger was the catalyst in Seville, ensuring the world champions extended their historic unbeaten streak to 40 matches in emphatic fashion.
Espanyol sporting director Monchi has been forced to issue a formal apology to the club's supporters after publicly endorsing Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d'Or. The veteran executive sparked a fierce backlash from the Perico faithful by backing the star player of their fiercest local rivals for football's ultimate individual prize.
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