Spain's Lamine Yamal Cautious About Full 90 Minutes Due to Hamstring Injury

New York. Spain's star player Lamine Yamal said it would be 'hasty' for him to play a full 90 minutes at the moment as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Speaking to Spanish state broadcaster RTVE before the World Cup match against Saudi Arabia, the 18-year-old winger said, 'Playing the full game now would be too soon and unnecessary, but I am ready to play as many minutes as the coach wants.'

Yamal of Barcelona, who was injured in mid-April, made his comeback by entering the field in the 71st minute against Cape Verde on Monday.

Earlier, in the first match of Group 'H', Cape Verde, playing in the World Cup for the first time, held the reigning European champions Spain to a goalless draw.

The Spanish team will be looking for their first win when they take to the field against Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Spain's head coach Luis de la Fuente, speaking to Radio Cope, had said that Yamal could play for 'an hour' in the match to be held in Atlanta this weekend.

Although Yamal could not help the team win against Cape Verde, his Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsi expressed confidence that he would perform well in the tournament. On Friday, Cubarsi said, 'We know Lamine's ability, he will help us as much as he can whether he enters the field or not, but I think the other players playing in his place will also do just as well.'

Since winning the World Cup for the first time in 2010, Spain has not progressed beyond the round of 16, although they are considered strong contenders for the title this time.