Spain's Bold Move with Injured Lamine Yamal for World Cup

Spain will head to the World Cup without a single Real Madrid player – but with their most dazzling young forward on board, injury and all.

Lamine Yamal, still only 18, has been named in Luis de la Fuente’s 26-man squad despite tearing his left hamstring for Barcelona on 22 April and missing the final month of the season. Spain are backing his talent, and their medical reports, over caution.

On the opposite flank, Nico Williams also makes it. The Athletic Bilbao winger has been nursing his own hamstring problem, yet De la Fuente is convinced both wide men will be ready when it matters.

“We're very relaxed. Barring any setbacks, we'll have everyone available from the very first match,” the Spain coach said, projecting calm around two of his most explosive attackers.

The calm does not extend to the Bernabéu. For the first time, Spain go to a World Cup without a single Real Madrid representative. Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal, the most obvious candidates from the European champions’ back line, have both been left out.

No Carvajal at right-back. No Huijsen in reserve. No white shirts at all in a Spain squad that leans heavily on Barcelona, Athletic and others.

De la Fuente has nailed his colours to a new generation and a new balance. Now the question is simple: can a Spain side built without Real Madrid’s spine, and led by a still-recovering Lamine Yamal, carry that boldness onto the biggest stage?