Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, recently named his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. As he announced the players, he made sure to stand up for young star Lamine Yamal. The team will face Bulgaria on September 4th and Turkey on September 7th. But the coach’s mind was also on something else.
Reporters had asked about Yamal’s goal celebration. The player often mimics placing a crown on his head. De la Fuente was quick to correct this idea. He firmly stated, “I don’t agree with that. His celebration isn’t about putting on a crown. It’s a magician’s hat.” He believes we should focus on more important things, not just the flashy stuff.
The coach reminded everyone of Yamal’s dedication. “At just 16 years old, he already worked harder and took better care of himself than others,” de la Fuente explained. “He trains a huge amount. Everything he’s achieved comes from that hard work, not from a party or a fancy celebration.” He drew a comparison to tennis star Alcaraz. “It’s like when people talked about Alcaraz going to Ibiza a lot. He’s always working, and sometimes, sure, he goes to Ibiza. But you don’t win or lose games because of those kinds of things.”