TBILISI: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente insisted he has 鈥渂lind confidence鈥� in Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal without revealing if he would make history by playing Friday鈥檚 Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia.
The 16-year-old would become Spain鈥檚 youngest ever player if he features against either Georgia or Cyprus next Tuesday.
But De la Fuenta did not reveal whether the youngster would play as Spain bid to get their European qualifying campaign back on track.
鈥淟amine appeared very good to me watching him on television, but working with him you realize even more his potential. He seems even better,鈥� De la Fuente told a press conference on Thursday.
鈥淐urrently, he鈥檚 a very important player for us, he鈥檚 here on his own merit. I have total confidence in him. I think he鈥檚 a great player.鈥�
Spain are aiming to correct a poor start to their qualifying campaign, but their preparations have been overshadowed by the controversy of suspended federation president Luis Rubiales鈥� unsolicited kiss of women鈥檚 team midfielder Jenni Hermoso.
鈥淪ince the beginning of the training camp, I have only been thinking about football and Georgia, because I believe that we have the possibility of putting qualification on the right track. We are focusing exclusively on the match tomorrow,鈥� said De la Fuente.
La Roja are fourth in the Group A, nine points behind leaders Scotland, who beat them in Glasgow, although De la Fuente鈥檚 side have played two fewer matches.