Argentina fears Spain’s Yamal ahead of World Cup final

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says his side is wary of Spain and its teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal ahead of the World Cup final in New York, adding he would prefer to keep the opponent from stepping onto the pitch on Sunday evening.

Scaloni, the head coach of La Albiceleste, told reporters he would like to avoid the Spanish team taking the field on Sunday night in New York. He emphasized that the Argentine side wants to minimise any advantage for their rivals.

Spain reached the semi‑final with a strong performance against France, a result that has heightened Argentina’s concerns. The Spanish side La Roja displayed the quality that makes the Argentine analysis more urgent.

"The fact that Spain leaves the hotel by bus – we might have to try to prevent that," Scaloni joked at the press conference. "Everything about them worries me. We have analysed them for a while, but we have not watched them as much as our previous opponents."

"I would wish we could lock him in his hotel room," Scaloni said of the super‑talent. "He is a fantastic player, a jewel for football. He is still very young and has so much more to give, but he is already an icon. His play is brilliant. Spain will enjoy him a lot, but hopefully not on Sunday."