Lamine Yamal's confidence and criticism debate before France semifinal

Lamine Yamal's World Cup story is no longer just about dribbles and hype. It is about confidence, scrutiny and a manager who still thinks he has more to give before Spain meet France.

Yamal's confidence has become the point

After Spain's 3-0 win over Austria in the round of 16, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice and Pedro Porro adding the third, Yamal put himself right at the centre of the conversation. He played 85 minutes, posted 5 shots, 4 on target and 5 successful dribbles, then backed the performance with a line that landed loudly: "If France should fear anyone, it's us."

That was not the only message. He said Spain and France were the two best teams at the World Cup and added that they have "no fear". He has also talked about pressure in a way that sounds almost defiant, saying he sees belief from others as something positive, not a burden, and that when you win, "everything hurts less."

The numbers are not carrying the story by themselves. Yamal has 1 goal at the 2026 World Cup, so the noise around him is being driven more by personality and influence than by scoring. Even in a tournament where young players can disappear into the background, he has done the opposite.

The praise and the caveat around him

Luis de la Fuente has been just as direct about where Yamal stands. Speaking to goal.com, he said the teenager has not quite arrived yet, but will next time. That is a fair read of Spain's run so far, and it also fits the manager's broader backing of a player who has already become central to the side's mood.

The external praise has been rolling in too. Nemanja Vidic called him a "Mini Messi" and said Yamal made Nuno Mendes run down the wing several times with his dribbling tricks before, in his view, ending up injuring him on one of those runs. That is Vidic's opinion, not match proof, but it shows how far Yamal's reputation has spread. Eden Hazard has also compared the pressure around Yamal with what he felt when he started playing.

There is a case for saying the confidence is part of the performance, not separate from it. Yamal's dribbling still forces defenders to react, and his Austria numbers show he was not just collecting touches in safe areas. He was getting shots away, beating men and keeping Spain on the front foot.

What is still unresolved is whether the noise around his headband, including the "EGO" version that sparked debate, is just style or a reply to criticism. There is no direct on-record quote here that settles that. What is settled is that Yamal has made himself impossible to ignore, and Spain go into France with a teenager who is already talking and playing like the moment belongs to him.