Robert Lewandowski Reflects on Lamine Yamal’s Role in Spain’s 2026 World Cup Victory

Former Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski shared insights on why his ex-teammate, teenage talent Lamine Yamal, couldn't deliver his top form during Spain’s 2026 World Cup win. Despite entering the tournament after a hamstring injury kept him out of the final part of Barcelona’s La Liga season, Lewandowski praised Yamal’s important role in Spain’s success.

Injury Affected Yamal’s Peak Performance

The young winger arrived at the World Cup recovering from injury, which limited his playing time early on as coach Luis de la Fuente carefully managed his minutes. Yamal still appeared in eight matches, scored once over 616 minutes, and completed the most dribbles in the tournament with 35. His efforts contributed significantly to Spain’s victories against Portugal, France, and Argentina in the final.

Lewandowski’s Take on Yamal’s Form

"Honestly, no, we didn’t see his best this tournament," Lewandowski told ESPN when asked if fans witnessed Yamal at full strength. "The best version for me was two seasons ago, not last season."

He added that coming off an eight-week absence from play meant Yamal had limited preparation time, forcing him to jump straight into high-level matches. Still, Lewandowski noted, the youngster showed real quality and blended well with the Spanish squad, helping the team as much as they supported him.

Barcelona Roots Influenced Lewandowski’s Support

Though Poland did not qualify for the World Cup, Lewandowski revealed he rooted for Spain, largely due to his strong connections with former Barcelona teammates. He explained, "I spent a lot of time in Barcelona with those players, so I supported them a lot. I only know Leo [Messi] personally from Argentina, but since he already won the last World Cup, I backed Spain because of my bond with the players there." He expressed happiness over Spain’s youthful squad achieving such a major triumph.

Next Steps for Yamal and Lewandowski

After the World Cup and a summer break, Yamal aims to regain full fitness before the new Barcelona season starts. Meanwhile, Lewandowski has begun a new phase with Chicago Fire in MLS, debuting against Inter Miami CF. He shared his goal to help his new team achieve success quickly: "I’m ready to do this and try to help my teammates and club take the next step, and also to win some titles."