'I live in a world of Martians!' - Lamine Yamal critics blasted by Luis de la Fuente as Spain boss stresses 'protection work' needed to handle Barcelona wonderkid

The 17-year-old has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in world football. However, immense talent brings significant expectations and media scrutiny. De la Fuente addresses this directly, emphasiding the need to protect young talents like Yamal due to the number of games he is forced to play despite his growing body.

The Barcelona winger is coming off the back of a phenomenal season which has seen him labelled a possible Ballon d'Or winner. Yamal scored 18 goals and provided 25 assists in 55 games for his club and was key in guiding Spain to the Nations LEague final - scoring against Netherlands in the quarter-finals and netting twice as they beat France in the semi-final.

While the world raves about him, De la Fuente advocates for a guided and constructive approach to Yamal's development, rather than just constant praise.

Speaking to Cope, De la Fuente said: "We have to do some protection work. We all see that he is a special footballer, but everything has a process. He is very clear about it, he is focused, I think he is very mature for his age. He knows what he is doing, we would be doing him a disservice if we only flattered him."

Addressing criticism of Yamal, the Spanish head coach further said: "I live in a world of Martians," before speaking of the player's attitude: "We are in that process of formation. No one is born knowing everything; right now, everything is in our favour, but sometimes life hits you hard."

De la Fuente has extended his contract with the national team and will remain as the head coach till the end of Euro 2028. The squad has shown immense potential under the current management having won the first-ever Nations League and also clinching the 2024 European Championship in Berlin. However, given the team's shortcomings in Nations League final, the coach will have to make some really difficult calls when registering his upcoming squad for the World Cup qualifiers in September.