“Messi is a unique player in history, and he is an example, a role model for youth and young players, his attitude, his behavior,” de la Fuente said through an interpreter.
He added, “Lamine has to become Lamine Yamal herself, and the best way to support her is to help her become the person we know today because she has a great potential, a great future.”
Spain are looking for their second World Cup title after the 2010 victory in South Africa with the previous generation.
With Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo and Rodri in midfield, this group is arguably as talented, if not necessarily as explosive, as the 2010 group. And they insist they are equally determined to leave their own legacy.
“We are very satisfied with the team’s process, but we are even more ambitious,” Rodri said through an interpreter. “We have a big challenge ahead of us on Sunday, a very beautiful challenge to make (people) proud of this generation.”