Lamine Yamal told to ‘calm down’ ahead of Spain’s World Cup semi-final

Spain arrived as European champions with Yamal as their poster boy, but the Barcelona winger has managed just one goal in six matches at the 2026 World Cup. His lack of strikes hasn’t stopped him from driving Spain’s progress, though, with wins over Portugal and Belgium sending them into the last four.

Rodri, Spain’s midfield general and Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament, stepped in to calm Yamal’s nerves. The Manchester City star told reporters: “I think he needs to calm down a bit, that anxiety that sometimes he has to prove himself. He’s a very important player for us because of what he does with and without the ball, and he’s a very intelligent guy. It’s true that he’s 19 years old and that we have to calm him down at certain moments of the game.”

Yamal has hit back at those questioning his impact, insisting goals aren’t the only measure of his value. “If we win the World Cup, I think nobody will remember how many goals I scored or how many I didn’t,” he told COPE. “If we win, we’ll all be happy, that’s all I want.”

He added: “I know that with my movement I draw a lot of opponents away; I can create space for a teammate. Anything I can do to help, even if I don’t touch the ball in a play, will be a positive. I think everyone’s obsessed with scoring goals.”

Rodri, 28, won the Ballon d’Or shortlist after dominating Euro 2024. He sees Yamal’s role as deeper than goals, praising the teenager’s decision-making and off-ball work. “He’s a talismanic figure for Spain,” Rodri said. “We have to remind him of his quality and keep him level before games.”

Spain’s semi-final clash looms, with Yamal’s ability to influence games without scoring already shaping their path to glory.

Two years ago at Euro 2024, Yamal’s stunning long-range strike leveled the semi-final against France before Spain marched to the trophy. Last season at Barcelona, he hit 24 goals in La Liga as the club retained the title-six more than his previous best.

Now, with Spain one win from a World Cup final, Yamal’s focus is on the team’s prize, not personal stats. His movement and creativity remain vital as Rodri urges him to trust his game.