Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick has praised Spain’s rising star Lamine Yamal as one of the most promising young players in world football, following Spain’s dominant 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. The former Manchester United manager believes the Barcelona winger possesses the ability to reach a level comparable to Lionel Messi, provided he remains humble and continues to develop steadily.

Spain continue to shine as Yamal impresses

After Spain’s commanding 4-0 triumph against Saudi Arabia, Rangnick highlighted Yamal’s exceptional potential. The Barcelona youngster once again displayed his class by opening the scoring in the 10th minute and consistently tormenting the Saudi defence with his pace and creativity on the wings.

Rangnick draws parallels between Yamal and Messi

In a conversation with Mundo Deportivo, Rangnick identified Yamal as one of football’s brightest future stars while assessing Spain’s performance and overall strength. The Austrian coach even drew a notable comparison between the 18-year-old and Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.

He said, “Spain is not a team anyone would like to face. They are one of the nations that have shaped the history of football in recent years, and moreover, they have Lamine Yamal, one of the absolute superstars of the future. I believe that if he stays fit and keeps his feet on the ground, he could reach a level similar to that of Lionel Messi.”

Yamal’s increasing influence in Spain’s setup

Although only 18 years old, Yamal has already established himself as a central figure in Spain’s attacking setup and is considered one of their most dangerous players. Nevertheless, the national team’s coaching staff are mindful of managing his physical condition carefully.

After an impressive first-half display against Saudi Arabia, Yamal was substituted in the second half to manage his workload during the tournament, especially after recovering from an injury sustained at the end of the previous season. In Spain’s opening World Cup match — a goalless draw against Cape Verde — he also did not play the entire game, entering as a second-half substitute.

Spain look to keep Yamal fresh for the challenges ahead

Spain now prepare for a crucial encounter with Uruguay, and head coach Luis de la Fuente is expected to continue managing Yamal’s playing time carefully as the knockout rounds draw closer. Ensuring the teenager remains fresh and injury-free could be key to Spain’s hopes of making a deep run in the tournament.