Spain winger Lamine Yamal is fit to feature as a substitute for his side in their opening World Cup match against Cape Verde. Manager Luis de la Fuente stated that while the 18-year-old is in good shape and training well, his inclusion will depend on how the Group H match progresses. De la Fuente noted that Yamal, along with teammates Nico Williams and Victor Munoz, will not start the match, and the decision on how they contribute will be a matter of logic based on the evolving game situation. Yamal has been sidelined since April due to groin and hamstring issues, but de la Fuente reported he has no concerns regarding his fitness. The manager described Cape Verde as a well-structured, physically powerful, and fast team that recently knocked out Cameroon, suggesting they could be a surprise team in the tournament. The 18-year-old winger, who finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting last year, is a prominent figure for FC Barcelona. Having been spotted by scouts at age six, he made his professional debut for the club at 15, becoming the youngest player in the club’s 126-year history. While often compared to Lionel Messi, Yamal has expressed a desire to follow his own path, stating he does not want to be Messi and that Messi knows he does not want to be him. Yamal, who grew up in the Rocafonda neighborhood of Barcelona, carries a personal identity reflected in his Adidas cleats, which feature the flags of Morocco and Equatorial Guinea alongside the “304” zip code of his hometown. He expressed high expectations for his World Cup debut in North America, stating he wants to be seen as a sincere person who enjoys life and aims to brighten the day of the fans.