Lamine Yamal has emerged as a notable young talent for Spain at the 2026 World Cup. In the semifinal against France, he was subjected to numerous fouls, sparking concern from teammate Rodri.
The Manchester City midfielder highlighted that this issue has persisted through Spain’s three games so far. Rodri pointed out that referees have been too lenient, allowing defenders to repeatedly foul Yamal without sufficient punishment. He stated, "There were more than 10 or 15 fouls where the player went to ground and tackles should have been called, otherwise defenders will keep doing it. The leniency today was quite obvious."
Despite limping after the match, Yamal avoided serious injury. Rodri praised his overall contribution, not just for winning a penalty but also for his off-the-ball work, calling his performance "sensational" and emphasizing how much he helped the team.
For Barcelona, Yamal’s presence in the national team at such a high level adds valuable experience but also increases his workload. Spain will face either England or Argentina in the World Cup final in New York, where Yamal could again have a significant impact.
