2026-07-23 08:34:56
Robert Lewandowski doesn’t believe that Lamine Yamal was at his best during the World Cup.
The teenage superstar helped Spain become world champions for the second time in North America but his former Barcelona team-mate felt that the hamstring injury the attacker suffered at the end of last season prevented him from performing at the highest level during the tournament.
Lewandowski told ESPN: “Honestly, no, we didn’t [see his best this tournament]. The best performance, the best Lamine for me, of course, wasn’t the last season, but two seasons ago, that was for me now the best version of Lamine Yamal.
“He’s still young, he came to the World Cup after injury and he didn’t play for like eight weeks so it’s tough if you don’t play eight weeks and you have to start playing in the World Cup, then you don’t have time for the training just from game to game. But he showed really good quality. The Spain players and the team helped Lamine and Lamine also helped the whole team. I think that this cooperation was perfect.”
Lewandowski explained how his spell at Barcelona – where he played alongside Spanish internationals Gavi, Pedri, Pau Cubarsi and Ferran Torres – meant he was rooting for La Roja in the final against Argentina.
The Polish marksman, who recently signed for MLS club Chicago Fire following his Barca departure, said: “I know a lot of players from Spain and I spent so much time in Barcelona with them, so I supported them a lot.
“Of course, I know from Argentina personally only Leo (Messi), but I know that he won the last World Cup. That’s why I support the Spanish national team because if you play with them, you spend a lot of time together then it’s easier to support this team.
“I was happy because I know they were ready to win the World Cup. They are very young and the future is in front of them.”
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