Lamine Yamal is set to take part in one of the standout matches of the 2026 World Cup as Spain face Portugal in the tournament’s round of 16. Yamal’s main opponent will be midfielder Nuno Mendes, who also plays for Barcelona.
In a recent interview, Yamal named Mendes the "toughest opponent" he has faced so far in his career. The two will meet again on Monday at the World Cup.
Former Spain and Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado highlighted the importance of the duel between Yamal and Mendes: “The duel between Lamine and Nuno will be one of the head-to-head matchups of the World Cup. If Lamine gets the better of Nuno, Spain will have a big advantage, but if it’s the other way around, Portugal will gain the upper hand.”
Salgado added, “I trust Lamine, because he has a magic box full of tricks. When he unleashes them, he’s unstoppable. For Nuno, this will be a physical duel between speedsters that can break down any tactical system.”
Nuno Mendes was named Player of the Match last summer and said he “cancelled out” Yamal in the Nations League final: “I have faced many great technical players who can make a difference, but today I cancelled out Lamine and did not let him do what he does best.”
Yamal will look to reverse that outcome in their upcoming clash in Dallas.
