Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente showered praise on Lamine Yamal, stating that despite his young age, he is destined to leave a lasting mark on football.

"Messi is a football legend, and Lamine has all the qualities to become a truly great player. He’s different—very few have his talent at this age, with that skill, confidence, and bravery… We’re lucky to have him," De la Fuente said in a press conference from Rotterdam.

A Rising Star

At just 17 years old, Yamal has already become a key player for Spain, but De la Fuente emphasized that his development is ongoing and that challenges will come. "As long as injuries don’t get in the way, he will define an era," the Spanish coach assured.

Spain is set to face the Netherlands in the Nations League quarter-finals, with the first leg this Thursday in Rotterdam and the return leg on Sunday in Mestalla. De la Fuente acknowledged the tough challenge ahead: "This could easily be a Euro final."

Game Plan & Knockout Strategy

The coach made it clear that Spain will stick to their attacking style. "We only have one way to play. Our identity is offensive—we enjoy having the ball and want to attack as much as possible. Not just because it has brought us success, but because the players thrive on it."

Finally, he warned that this tie will be long and demanding. "We know it could go beyond 90 minutes, even into extra time and penalties. Our goal is to win tomorrow and keep the momentum going. Then we'll assess our approach in Valencia, but our mentality is always to go for the win."