Lewandowski: injury layoff limited Yamal’s impact at World Cup

Lewandowski: injury layoff limited Yamal's impact at World Cup

Robert Lewandowski has said Lamine Yamal did not show his best form during Spain’s triumph at the 2026 World Cup, pointing to the winger’s lengthy injury layoff before the tournament as the main reason. The Polish striker, a former Barcelona team-mate of Yamal, made the comments to ESPN when asked whether fans had seen the 19-year-old at his peak in the United States.

Yamal arrived at the World Cup after recovering from a hamstring injury that had kept him out for around eight weeks during the closing stages of Barcelona’s La Liga season. Manager Luis de la Fuente managed his workload early in the tournament, though Yamal still featured in all eight of Spain’s matches, scoring once in 616 minutes and completing a tournament-high 35 dribbles as La Roja beat Portugal, France and Argentina in the final.

Lewandowski said Yamal’s best form came two seasons ago rather than in his most recent Barcelona campaign, adding that the lack of match sharpness after such a long absence made it difficult for him to train and build rhythm between games during the tournament. He praised the mutual support between Yamal and his Spain team-mates, calling their cooperation “perfect”. Lewandowski, whose Poland team failed to qualify for the World Cup, also said he supported Spain in the final over Argentina because of his close ties to several of the Spanish players from his time at Barcelona, noting he personally knew only Lionel Messi from the Argentine squad.

Yamal is now expected to use the close season to build back full physical condition ahead of Barcelona’s next campaign. Lewandowski, meanwhile, has begun a new spell in MLS with Chicago Fire, making his debut against Inter Miami and stating his ambition to help the club challenge for titles.