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SportsSpain coach De La Fuente hails Mbappé as 'a great of world football' ahead of semifinal
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On the eve of the 2026 World Cup semifinal between France and Spain, Spanish coach Luis De La Fuente expressed admiration for Kylian Mbappé, dismissing criticism the Real Madrid star has faced from the Iberian press. De La Fuente called Mbappé a 'brilliant footballer' and 'a great of world football.' Mbappé is the joint top scorer of the tournament with eight goals in six matches, following a season of 42 goals in 43 games for Real Madrid. De La Fuente also addressed the form of Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal, saying his 'big day' at the World Cup has not yet arrived but hoping it comes in the semifinal or final. The coach offered no tactical secrets, simply stating the match will be 'very demanding' and quoting Julius Caesar on the necessity of suffering for great success.
Source report
Ahead of Tuesday's World Cup semi-final against France (9pm), Spain manager Luis De La Fuente has offered glowing praise for Kylian Mbappé, who has faced persistent criticism from the Spanish media during his time at Real Madrid.
"A Brilliant Footballer"
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, De La Fuente dismissed the negative coverage surrounding the French captain. Mbappé enters the match as the joint top scorer of the tournament with eight goals in six appearances, following a season in which he scored 42 goals in 43 games for Real Madrid.
"Criticism of Mbappé? What can I say? Criticism is free, but for me he is a brilliant footballer," De La Fuente told the world's press.
The 65-year-old coach elaborated: "Everyone is free to criticize, but I am an admirer of spectacular football and great footballers, and Kylian is obviously a great of world football."
Lamine Yamal's Moment Yet to Come?
Among the "great footballers" De La Fuente admires is his own young star, Lamine Yamal. The 19-year-old prodigy has been less prominent during this World Cup, but retains his coach's full confidence.
"He must stay calm and enjoy himself. Lamine's big day at the World Cup hasn't arrived yet, so I hope it will be tomorrow," De La Fuente said. "And if not, it will be in the final, if we manage to qualify."
No Secrets Revealed
When asked about his tactical approach, De La Fuente offered little away. "Tomorrow's match will be very demanding," he assured, before adding a philosophical note: "Julius Caesar said there is no great success without suffering, and I share that view. If you want to accomplish something important, you have to make sacrifices and suffer a lot."
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Mbappé Praises Messi, Focuses on World Cup Goals for France