Starter or benched? Spain boss De la Fuente confirms Lamine Yamal’s status for Cabo Verde

Starter or benched? Spain boss De la Fuente confirms Lamine Yamal’s status for Cabo VerdeSpanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente has provided an update on the status of star man Lamine Yamal for the country’s World Cup opener.La Roja are primed to kick their campaign at world football’s grandest international tournament into gear on Monday, in a meeting with minnows Cabo Verde.

The aforementioned Lamine had long been considered a doubt for the fixture, owing to a late-season injury suffered with Barcelona.The 18-year-old was spotted back in full training with his Spanish teammates earlier this week, though, giving rise to suggestions that he could yet feature from the off in Atlanta.Speaking during an appearance in front of the media on Sunday evening, the status of his star attacker was therefore put to the aforementioned Luis de la Fuente.

And Spain’s headmaster went on to confirm that, though Lamine is indeed much improved, he will not be risked as a starter:“Lamine is in perfect condition… but he won’t start from the beginning.”Conor Laird – GSFN