Spain star hails Barcelona duo Lamine, Cubarsi: ‘Surprised by their age and how they handle things’

Spain star hails Barcelona duo Lamine, Cubarsi: ‘Surprised by their age and how they handle things’ Spain face their toughest test so far at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday when they take on Portugal in the Round of 16. The game will come as a stern test for Luis de la Fuente’s players, especially considering that Cristiano Ronaldo & co. got the better of them in the UEFA Nations League finals last year. Two of Barcelona’s precocious teenage wonderkids, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, will be key for La Roja tomorrow as they hope to secure a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals. Unai Simon amazed by Lamine, Cubarsi And, speaking at his pre-match press conference, Spain star and goalkeeper Unai Simon had words of praise for both Lamine and Cubarsi. The 29-year-old shot-stopper was asked about the upcoming duel between Lamine and Portugal left-back Nuno Mendes , and whether the 18-year-old sensation will need to be told to track back and help out defensively. Unai Simon hailed Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images) In response, Simon said (h/t Mundo Deportivo ): “There’s no need to convince him; you have a different image than we do. He’s decisive in attack and helps us a lot in defence. “He’s very eager to prove himself, and there’s no need to convince him of anything. He knows it, and he says so.” Regarding Cubarsi and how he has excelled at the tournament despite his young age, the Spain goalkeeper remarked: “We don’t care about external evaluations; we know his worth. The coach knows it too, and that’s what really matters. I’m often surprised by their age and how they handle things.” Spain’s best players at the World Cup so far. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Cubarsi, Lamine the key Cubarsi has without a question been one of the best defenders at the World Cup so far, showing discipline and maturity beyond his 19 years of age. His performances have been critical to Spain not conceding a single goal at the tournament so far, keeping four clean sheets on the bounce. As for Lamine, having come into the World Cup on the back of an injury, the Barcelona winger is starting to hit his stride, as was seen in his Man of the Match display against Austria in the Round of 32 this week. Spain will want to see more of the same from the Barcelona teenage duo against Portugal as Cubarsi faces a huge challenge of stopping Cristiano Ronaldo , while Lamine will come up against Nuno Mendes.