Lamine Yamal says he is not ready for a full 90 minutes

Spain head into their second World Cup 2026 match against Saudi Arabia in two days looking for their first win after a disappointing 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in the opener. The match is scheduled as Spain try to recover in a campaign where they were among the pre-tournament favorites.

Lamine Yamal played 19 minutes in the opening game while continuing to recover from a muscle injury that has bothered him for the past two months. There had recently been hope that the young star would be fully back for the second match, but he lowered expectations in an interview in Spain.

Yamal said, "I am ready for any task the coach gives me, but I am still not ready for a full match." He added, "I feel good, but I have not played for a very long time. Being fit does not mean I will play. The coach chooses, I am only ready."

He also said it was too early for him to return to full activity and play 90 minutes. "I am going through a process of getting used to the situation, and it is not easy to do that while also completing 90 minutes on the pitch. It is unnecessary," he concluded.