Marc Cucurella Praises Lamine Yamal's Growth Ahead of World Cup Showdown

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 15: Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain looks on before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Marc Cucurella has highlighted the significant growth of Lamine Yamal since the Euro 2024 tournament, noting that the young Barcelona talent has shown remarkable maturity at just 18 years old. Yamal, who recently made his return from injury as a substitute in the scoreless draw against Cape Verde, is anticipated to play a crucial role in the upcoming World Cup 2026.

Looking ahead to the next match against Saudi Arabia, Cucurella expressed his enthusiasm for teaming up with Yamal. “I’ve noticed he’s changed a lot since the Euros; I think he’s much more settled. He’s been in professional football for many years now, he knows what he has to do. I’m very happy to have him on our team, and I hope he’s recovered well from his injury and can help us a lot,” he shared with El Mundo.

According to Cucurella, Yamal has managed his rising fame impressively, maintaining his grounded personality. “It’s incredible. I went on vacation to Dubai and I also saw a Lamine billboard. But he handles it very well, very naturally, he’s still the same guy. More mature, but the same guy he was when he wasn’t such a star or so famous. That’s the best thing about him, how naturally he handles these things,” he stated. “And at that age, 18. I don’t think everyone is capable of managing that.”

While Yamal's playing time may be limited in the upcoming match, he is expected to contribute more significantly than he did against Cape Verde.