FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is making swift progress in Spain's pre-World Cup training camp, raising hopes he could feature in La Roja's tournament debut against Cape Verde on June 15.
The Ballon d'Or candidate has been sidelined since April 22 after sustaining a hamstring injury during a La Liga match against Celta Vigo.
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He scored a winning penalty before leaving the pitch.
Initial assessments suggested Yamal would not be ready until Spain's second Group H game against Saudi Arabia on June 21.
However, latest updates indicate he is ahead of schedule.
According to SPORT, the sensations surrounding the young winger are very positive. He has already started ball work and joined teammates for physical exercises on the grass.
Spain boss Luis de La Fuente told Mundo Deportivo: "We knew [Lamine] was going to arrive in perfect condition and I would even risk saying that he will be [ready] for the first game."
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Squad Updates and Injury Concerns
Yamal is eager to make his World Cup debut after playing a key role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph.
Reflecting on his injury, he said: "I remember the play... I was praying inside for it not to be serious...
because I knew the World Cup was very close."
In the current Spain squad, Yamal joins seven other FC Barcelona stars, including Pedri, Gavi, and Dani Olmo.
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However, Fermin Lopez will miss the tournament due to a metatarsal fracture in his right foot, which is expected to sideline him for three months.
