Rodri praises Lamine Yamal’s laser focus on World Cup preparations

While most 18-year-olds would jump at the chance to sit down for a team dinner with some of the best footballers on the planet, Lamine Yamal had other plans. The Barcelona winger skipped the meal entirely, opting instead to focus on his preparations for Spain’s upcoming World Cup campaign.

Rodri Hernandez, the Manchester City midfielder and reigning Ballon d’Or winner, didn’t just excuse Yamal’s absence. He praised it. Speaking on June 12, 2026, Rodri described his young teammate as “very focused” and “in perfect condition” ahead of Spain’s Group H opener against Cape Verde on June 14.

Rodri, during media engagements with the Spanish national team earlier in June, called Yamal a “beast” and declared him the “present and future of Spanish football.” He went further, expressing confidence that Yamal would one day win the Ballon d’Or. Coming from the man who currently holds that award after claiming it in 2024, that’s not throwaway praise.

Spain’s squad is currently training in the United States as they gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The defending Euro 2024 champions enter the tournament with a roster that includes Rodri, Yamal, and Pedri. Their first test comes against Cape Verde in Group H on June 14.

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