Wayne Rooney has expressed admiration for young footballer Lamine Yamal after the latter's standout performance in his first World Cup start. Yamal, just 18 years old, made an immediate impact by scoring within 10 minutes against Saudi Arabia, marking his first World Cup goal and bringing his national tally to seven goals in 27 appearances.

During the match held in Atlanta, Spain quickly established a commanding lead of 3-0 before Yamal was substituted at halftime as a precaution to avoid overexertion. Rooney, commenting on Yamal's performance on BBC, noted, "I really love him. Yamal makes me smile. The way he plays brings joy and excitement to the game."

Rooney highlighted Yamal's maturity, stating that he has exceeded expectations for someone his age. Yamal became the second player in history to score a World Cup goal before turning 18, following the legendary Pele in 1958. Rooney remarked, "Yamal has an exceptional football IQ, which is very difficult to teach a player."

Having played a significant role in Spain's Euro 2024 victory at just 16 and 17, Yamal's growth is evident. Rooney believes that Yamal's presence on the field instills confidence in his teammates, suggesting that he could be a key player in Spain's quest for the World Cup title.

In addition to his offensive prowess, Yamal also impressed Rooney with his defensive contributions. In the match against Saudi Arabia, he actively participated in defensive plays, demonstrating his commitment to the team's overall performance. Despite only playing 45 minutes, he successfully contested for the ball and assisted his teammates in regaining possession.

Yamal's rapid development from a teenage talent at Euro 2024 to becoming a leading attacker for Spain has been remarkable. In their previous match against Cape Verde, where Yamal played only the final 20 minutes, Spain struggled to a 0-0 draw. However, his full debut against Saudi Arabia showcased his ability to influence the game significantly.

With Spain's 4-0 victory, they currently lead Group H and are well-positioned for the knockout stages. Their next match will be against Uruguay on Saturday, June 27, at 7 AM Hanoi time.