Wayne Rooney expressed his admiration for teenage sensation Lamine Yamal during the World Cup, highlighting the 18-year-old's impact on the Spain side. Rooney, on punditry duty for the BBC, could hardly contain his excitement about watching Yamal play.
Yamal's World Cup debut goal
Yamal scored Spain's first goal after just 10 minutes in a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Sunday, June 21, 2026. He was substituted at half-time as part of his return to full fitness following a hamstring injury that had cast doubt on his World Cup participation. The goal marked his first in a World Cup, a dream he described as 'very special' and a 'dream come true.'
Rooney, speaking on the BBC, said: 'Do you know what I absolutely love him, he just makes me smile. The enjoyment and fun he plays with.' He added that Yamal gives confidence to other young players in the Spain team, noting that the teenager's maturity is 'crazy to say about an 18-year-old.'
Rooney praises defensive work rate
Rooney also highlighted Yamal's defensive contributions, saying: 'Him running back and helping his team out. When you get a big player that's willing to run back and willing to help out. The impact that has on the rest of the team, they're looking at that and thinking, "we've got a superstar running back and helping out defensively." That means everyone else has to do it, whether they like it or not.'
Yamal, who already has three La Liga titles with Barcelona and scored 24 goals last season, was not risked from the start in Spain's opening goalless draw against Cape Verde. The win over Saudi Arabia lifted Spain to the top of Group H, with Uruguay and Cape Verde set to play later on Sunday. Spain will face Uruguay on June 27 in a match that could decide the group winner.
Rooney's excitement for the tournament
Rooney concluded: 'I'm just so excited to watch him in the rest of this World Cup, I'm sure that comes across, he's such an enjoyable player to watch.' Yamal's performance has drawn widespread praise, with the young star saying he had dreamed of playing in a World Cup while watching previous tournaments in school.
