Rodri advises Yamal to manage anxiety for greater World Cup impact

Spanish captain Rodri has urged his young teammate Lamine Yamal to temper his eagerness to impress, suggesting it could enhance his overall impact on the World Cup stage. Yamal, a highly touted talent, has had a subdued presence in the tournament thus far, contributing only one goal.

"I think Lamine needs to calm that anxiety a bit, the one he sometimes has to show off," Rodri commented, as reported by AFP. "He is a very important player for us for what he does with and without the ball." Rodri emphasized Yamal's intelligence and potential, noting that at 19, he sometimes needs reassurance during matches. "Football is in his blood; he just needs to find the right moment, and against France, we expect him to be important for us."

Rodri drew parallels to Yamal's performance in the 2024 Euro Cup, where Spain emerged victorious. "Regarding Lamine... I think a player who showed such maturity in that Euro Cup, when you are two years older, what he is capable of doing doesn't impress you as much," Rodri stated. "At those ages, I was just starting in professional football, not even at the highest level."

Despite acknowledging Yamal's immense talent and maturity for his age, Rodri believes the young winger still has room for growth in understanding game tempo. "He is a very mature kid who still has phases of improvement in understanding the moment of the match, which is normal for his age, but everyone already knows his level," Rodri concluded.