Spain boss De la Fuente defends Barcelona star | OneFootball

Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente has this week revealed his bemusement with the criticism aimed in the direction of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal at points this past season.

Wide-man Lamine is of course fresh off nothing short of a historic campaign in Catalunya’s capital in 2024/25.

Despite remaining just 17 years of age, the winger terrorised opposing backlines time and time again, en route to securing for himself status as one of world football’s very best players.

All told, Lamine racked up a whopping 43 goal contributions across all competitions, crucial in Barcelona ultimately securing a domestic treble.

And yet, at more than one point over the course of the season, the youngster was singled out for criticism.

Chiefly, as much came amid complaints that he was not scoring enough goals.

And one individual who has since made clear that he was left nothing short of perplexed by such qualms is the aforementioned Luis de la Fuente.

Speaking during an interview with COPE, as cited by Diario Sport, this week, Spain’s headmaster explained:

“I heard that Lamine lacks a goal, oh my… I said, I live in a world of Martians!”

Conor Laird – GSFN