Lamine Yamal long way to go, says Spain coach De La Fuente, stressing the Barcelona star is still developing despite strong performances

Spain national team head coach Luis de la Fuente has stated that Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal still has significant development ahead of him, despite his impressive performances at club level this season.

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Speaking ahead of Spain’s international friendly against Egypt, De la Fuente emphasised that the teenager remains in a developmental phase, noting that his contributions to the national team and his club continue to improve with each appearance. The Spain boss described the player’s trajectory as promising but cautioned against placing excessive expectations too early in his career.

Lamine Yamal long way to go was the central theme of De la Fuente’s remarks, as he highlighted that the winger’s best performances are still ahead of him. The coach’s comments reflect a broader focus on managing young talent carefully, ensuring steady progression rather than rapid escalation of pressure.

Yamal has enjoyed a standout season with Barcelona, recording 21 goals and 15 assists across all competitions. His performances have drawn widespread attention across Europe, culminating in a second-place finish in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings behind winner Ousmane Dembélé.

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Despite the accolades, De la Fuente’s assessment underlines the importance of patience and continued development for emerging talents at the highest level of the game.

The Spain coach expressed confidence that Yamal will continue to evolve and eventually reach an even higher standard as his experience grows.