Spain sweat over Lamine Yamal's fitness as Barcelona star misses full team training session

Lamine Yamal has played 496 minutes in this campaign and started every match for Spain, except for the opening 0-0 draw against Cape Verde.

Published on: Jul 17, 2026, 14:22:34 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Lamine Yamal trained separately from his teammates on Thursday as Spain prepares for Sunday's FIFA World Cup final vs defending champions Argentina. The Spanish winger played the full match in Spain's semi-final win over France. Meanwhile, Pedro Porro trained separately and was substituted in the 85th minute against France after experiencing muscle discomfort.

Spain's Lamine Yamal is dealing with fitness issues. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

According to reports, Yamal was heavily fatigued after the match and is also dealing with some physical issues. Meanwhile, Luis de la Fuente revealed after the France match that Porro is dealing with muscle overload and will be evaluated further before the final.

Also Read: Spain are favourites, but Lionel Messi doesn't care: Can the perfect machine overcome football's greatest magician?

Porro has played 444 minutes in this World Cup, edging past Marcos Llorente for the starting right-back spot. He scored in the Round of 32 clash vs Austria and then in the 2-0 win vs France.

Will Lamine Yamal play in the final?

Meanwhile, ESPN reports that both players are expected to be available for the final. The decision to have both players train separately has been taken as part of workload management.

Yamal has played 496 minutes in this campaign and started every match for Spain, except for the opening 0-0 draw against Cape Verde.

"As far as I know, Lamine has nothing serious. I've just spoken with the medical staff, and everything looks positive," De la Fuente said.

Spain began their campaign on a sour note, held to a 0-0 draw by debutants Cape Verde. But then the reigning European champions bounced back to winning ways, beating Saudi Arabia and Spain with ease. They conceded their only goal of the tournament in the 2-1 quarter-final win against Belgium. Against France, they were the underdogs, but shut out the Les Bleus with ease as Rodri dictated tempo, and the backline restricted the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele to half-chances.

Mikel Oyarzabal has been Spain's unsung hero and has scored five goals in their run to the final. He scored the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final win against England. He also has three goals in this World Cup's knockout stages. The Real Sociedad star lacks the star quality of many of his teammates, but has probably been their best player in this World Cup.

The biggest match-up will be Yamal vs Messi. The young Barcelona star was photographed with Messi when he was just a baby. Now the 19-year-old is one of the best players in the world and is also heralded by many Barcelona fans as Messi's successor.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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