Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has laughed at criticism of Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal [after a brilliant season by the teenager](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2025/6/6/24444001/barcelona-and-spain-star-lamine-yamal-happy-to-do-his-ballon-dor-talking-on-the-pitch).
There have been suggestions from some quarters that Yamal does not score enough goals, but [De la Fuente made it clear that such talk is nonsense](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2025/6/6/24444200/lamine-yamal-has-shown-he-should-win-the-ballon-dor-spain-boss-luis-de-la-fuente).
> “I heard that Lamine lacks a goal, oh my... I said, I live in a world of Martians,” he told COPE.
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> “We all see that he is a special footballer, with extraordinary potential and that he can become a legendary footballer, but everything has a process.
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> “He is very clear about it, he is focused, I think he is a very mature boy for his age. He knows what he has in his hands and we would do him a disservice if we only flattered him.”
The Spain boss also thinks Yamal may find life more difficult next season and says the Barcelona star will simply have to raise his game to cope with the increased demands.
> “This year is going to be more difficult, the demand is greater, the rivals will put more resistance to it. He has to perform more, he has to seek to perform higher,” he added.
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> “We are in that training process. It is everyone’s responsibility to train, teach and direct them. Nobody is born knowing everything, now all the wind is in your favor, but sometimes life hits you and brings you to your knees.”
Yamal is currently enjoying a well-deserved break but is due back with the rest of the Barcelona squad in July for pre-season.