Spain manager’s advice to Lamine Yamal as he backs him to follow in Messi, Ronaldo’s footsteps

Spain manager’s advice to Lamine Yamal as he backs him to follow in Messi, Ronaldo’s footsteps The Spanish national team have already assembled for the ongoing international break, and Barcelona stars including Joan Garcia, Pedri and Pau Cubarsi have already assembled in Luis de La Fuente’s camp. The big name, Lamine Yamal, has not joined up with some niggling pain in his knee and has been exempted from the team’s first game. He has, however, been called up and is expected to be back for the game against England. It will be a special international break this time around, as it marks the first time both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will not be in action after both players announced their international retirements. In that sense, the spotlight will not shine a little bit brighter on the next generation of stars, and Lamine Yamal is one who will hog a major part of that spotlight. De La Fuente’s advice Lamine backed to mark an era in football. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Speaking to the media at a press conference, Spain NT manager Luis de La Fuente was asked if he saw Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe capable of filling the void left by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirements. “They are going to mark an era in football, for sure,” he began, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo . “It is very good for football that there is not only one star who is the reference for everyone,” he added. Speaking on the importance of competition between two top stars, the manager said, “There must be two or three players who are references and who believe in that spirit of joy, of follow-up and what sport is a bit: rivalry, always healthy.” Advice to Lamine Yamal De La Fuente had special advice for Yamal. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) The coach was then asked what advice he would give to the player who is under his tutelage – Lamine Yamal. “He is a very mature boy for his age, but he needs us to accompany him, like any boy his age who is still training. He is aware,” he began. “In private, he shows you that maturity that I am saying, but outside of that environment you also have to protect yourself and defend yourself from everything around you,” he added. De La Fuente then praised Yamal for how he soaks up pressure and criticism with maturity, saying, “And he does it very well. I admire him because a 19-year-old boy, who endures the media pressure he has endured since he was 16, is not easy. It’s very difficult.” “And he does it with tremendous naturalness. You have to tell him to keep growing, improving and working as he does. This way he will have all the doors open to be a legendary footballer,” he added.