Witnessing the young Barcelona star's performance, Wayne Rooney expressed admiration while commenting on BBC. "I really love him. Yamal makes me smile," the Manchester United legend said, adding, "The way he plays brings joy and excitement." Rooney highlighted Yamal's most striking quality as his maturity, far beyond his 18 years. "Yamal has exceptional football IQ, which is very difficult to teach a player," the former England captain remarked.

Yamal made an immediate impact in his first World Cup start, scoring a close-range tap-in to open the scoring at the Atlanta stadium after just 10 minutes. This marked the 18-year-old forward's first World Cup goal, increasing his national team tally to seven goals in 27 matches. Yamal became the second player to score an opening goal at the World Cup before turning 18, a feat previously achieved only by Pele in 1958. When Yamal was substituted at halftime, as per a pre-agreed plan to manage his workload, Spain already held a 3-0 lead, effectively securing the match's outcome.

Lamine Yamal (center) vies for the ball with Musab Al Juwayr (left) and Nasser Al Dawsari during the Group H 2026 World Cup match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, Sunday, 21/6/2026. *Photo: AP*

Rooney believes Yamal's presence positively impacts the entire Spanish squad. "He gives his teammates the belief that they can win the World Cup," the 40-year-old former striker said. "A player who makes those around him play better is very special." Yamal previously played a significant role in helping Spain win Euro 2024 when he was just 16 and 17 years old, showcasing his early talent.

Beyond his attacking prowess, Yamal also earned Rooney's praise for his defensive contributions. In the match against Saudi Arabia, the player frequently tracked back to challenge opponents and support teammates when possession was lost. Despite playing only 45 minutes, he successfully won the ball once and cleared it once. Rooney noted, "When a star does that, it creates a huge impact," referring to Yamal's willingness to defend.

Rooney's comments reflect a rapid transformation in Yamal's image. From a teenage talent at Euro 2024, the player born in 2007 has emerged as an attacking leader for Spain. This leadership was evident against Saudi Arabia, where Yamal was the focal point in most of his team's attacking moves. Every time he touched the ball, he could create a difference with his dribbling, passing, or shooting. In contrast, Spain drew 0-0 with Cape Verde in their opening match, where Yamal only played for just over 20 minutes at the end.

Rooney comments on BBC after Yamal scores against Saudi Arabia. *Photo: Balls*

The 4-0 victory propelled Spain to the top of Group H, giving them a significant advantage in the race for the knockout stage. Their final group match will be against Uruguay at 7h on Saturday, 27/6, Hanoi time.

Hoang An (according to Goal)