Yamal: My Best World Cup Performances Are Yet to Come

Lamine Yamal says his best performances at the 2026 World Cup are still to come as the tournament moves towards its latter rounds.

The Barcelona forward has made five appearances for Spain and scored once. He said he has never been a player who peaks in the group stage and added that two months out with injury meant he needs more minutes and more touches of the ball to get back to his best.

“Every time we get closer to the World Cup final, I play better,” Yamal said. “I’ve never been the type of player who is at his best in the group stage. I was out for two months because of injury and I need to play and get more contact with the ball to reach my best condition. I’m sure my best displays in this tournament are still to come.”

Yamal also spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo after Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in the last 16, a result that ended Portugal’s tournament and likely Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance. Yamal was among the first Spain players to go over and comfort him.

Asked about “aura”, Yamal said Ronaldo is the clearest example in football, describing it as the energy and presence that changes a room when someone walks in.