Spain news

Lamine Yamal has grown accustomed to seeing his every move dissected in minute detail, on and off the pitch, with the Barcelona wonderkid claiming to enjoy the level of celebrity that he now boasts. The teen sensation has no desire to shy away from the limelight, despite attracting some unwanted attention, and is revelling in his role as a global sporting superstar.

Lamine Yamal maintains that he is not looking to be another Lionel Messi, with the Barcelona wonderkid tiring of constant comparisons to the Argentine GOAT. That discussion was inevitable, given that both stepped out of the fabled La Masia academy system, but a teenage superstar of the present remains determined to “follow his own path” and create a new legacy.

Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to honour the late Diogo Jota after sending his family and his Portuguese team-mates a special gift to commemorate their 2025 Nations League triumph. The Liverpool forward and his brother, Andre Silva, died in a car crash in Spain in July, leaving the footballing community in mourning. And although Jota is gone, Ronaldo is helping to keep his memory very much alive.

England could avoid facing France until the World Cup final and any of the top-four ranked teams until the semi-final stage, after it was confirmed that FIFA are set to implement a Wimbledon-style seeding system to the 2026 World Cup draw. Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions will find out their opponents in the group stage on December 5, and the new draw system aims to give the best possible opportunity for a heavyweight clash in the final of the tournament next summer.

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has offered his advice to teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, as the 18-year-old continues to adapt to the demands of fame since his rapid rise to prominence with Barcelona. Nadal advised Yamal to surround himself with the right people who genuinely want the best for him, warning him that fame can "make you unhappy" if you do not take the right path.

A bold new look for La Roja: inside Spain’s striking 2026 World Cup shirts.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has named Arsenal’s David Raya among the top three goalkeepers in the world at the moment. The Belgian praised Raya’s outstanding form this season, with Arsenal yet to concede a goal in the Champions League. However, Courtois noted that Raya still faces strong competition at international level and must overcome the challenge posed by Unai Simon if he hopes to become Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has declared his ambition to win "everything," including the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d'Or, after receiving the Di Stéfano Award for the best player of the 2024-25 season by Marca. The 18-year-old star, who recently returned to partial training after a pubalgia issue, also expressed his excitement for Barcelona's historic return to Camp Nou against Athletic Club.

Dietmar Hamann says Germany's 6–0 rout of Slovakia on Monday – which secured their place at next year’s World Cup – should not mask the team’s shortcomings. The former Germany, Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder argued that Julian Nagelsmann’s side still fall short of their strongest European rivals and therefore should not be considered among the favourites for next year's tournament.

FIFA has released its final rankings of 2025, with the U.S. Men’s National Team rising to No. 14 after wins over Paraguay and Uruguay. Mexico dropped to No. 15 following a draw and a defeat, leaving the U.S. as CONCACAF’s highest-ranked side to close the year. Spain remain No. 1, while Brazil returned to the top five.

Real Madrid have suffered another setback as Dean Huijsen has withdrawn from Spain duty due to muscle discomfort, raising concerns of a relapse of the soleus injury he suffered in October. The defender has been sent back to Madrid for tests, joining Kylian Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga as the latest Los Blancos players to return early from international duty.

European champions Spain have all-but qualified for next summer's World Cup after crushing Georgia 4-0 on Saturday evening. Two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and strikes from Martin Zubimendi and Ferran Torres saw Luis de la Fuente's side maintain their 100 per cent record in Group E, on an evening when second-placed Turkey also defeated Bulgaria 2-0.

Spain defender Dean Huijsen is set to undergo a scan after being left out of the matchday squad for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia through groin discomfort. The European champions are now sweating on the Real Madrid centre-back’s fitness ahead of their final qualifier against Turkey next Tuesday after he experienced the issue in training.