Lamine Yamal, the talented winger for Spain and Barcelona, has provided an update on his recovery from a hamstring injury, clarifying that he is not yet ready to play a full match during the World Cup. The 18-year-old has been carefully managing his return and remains available for limited minutes in Spain's upcoming crucial Group Stage match against Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Yamal made his return to the field during Spain's opening World Cup fixture, where he played 25 minutes in a disappointing goalless draw against Cape Verde. His fitness has become a focal point for the European champions, who are eager to turn around a lackluster start to their campaign.

In an interview with Spanish public television TVE, Yamal expressed his current physical state, stating, "I'm fine, I'm feeling good, but it's too soon, it's unnecessary; I'm still settling in – it's not the right time to play a full match yet – but I can play for as many minutes as the manager wants."

He emphasized his desire to contribute to the team, noting, "I want to be on the pitch; even if you know you can’t play for 90 minutes, you always want to get out there and help the team."

Having played a significant role in Spain's success in the 2024 European Championship, Yamal acknowledged the weight of the World Cup on his mind during his recovery. He expressed relief about his progress, stating, "Thank God the doctors told me I was going to be ready, and here we are, happy. I hope I never get injured again."

Following the criticism over the draw with Cape Verde, Yamal urged fans to remain calm, dismissing the reaction as an overreaction. He remarked, "There was a bit of a fuss over a draw, but in the end lots of teams have struggled in the first round – it doesn't mean anything."

Looking ahead, he acknowledged the pressure for the upcoming match, asserting, "Obviously, we have to win on Sunday because we're among the favourites, but just because you've drawn doesn't mean you're one of the worst teams in the World Cup."