Alvaro Morata believes Lamine Yamal has the potential to be one of the world's best ahead of Spain's Euro 2024 opener against Croatia this Saturday.
Morata, who will lead La Roja at the tournament, is one of only two players included in Luis de la Fuente's squad with over 50 international caps, with the Spanish opting for youth over experience in Germany.
16-year-old Lamal enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with Barcelona, scoring seven goals and registering 10 assists in 50 appearances in all competitions.
Yamal is expected to break Pedri's European Championship record and become Spain's youngest player to feature at the tournament, with Morata believing he has all the attributes to reach the top of world football.
"It's a pleasure to have him playing with us. He offers something different," Morata told UEFA.com on the La Masia graduate.
"If he is lucky and doesn't suffer major injuries, then he will be among the very best in the world, because despite being just 16 years old, he is already a step further than many others.
"He must mature, but that's normal. Sometimes it seems he isn't 16, it seems he is 23 or 24. Above all, we need to make him understand how important it is to manage matches mentally and also the fact that you sometimes need to slow down the match rather than trying to make something out of everything.
"He is really good at dribbling, he has a great technique, but he must help us with that by understanding that there are certain matches where the most important thing is to protect the current result."
Morata takes the armband from Jordi Alba, who captained the side to their maiden Nations League title last year, and is hopeful of emulating Iker Casillas, who led Spain to three international honours, including back-to-back European Championships.
"It's an incredibly proud feeling, Morata said. "My family often sends me a photo of mine of the time when Spain won the first of their last two EURO [in 2008].
"I was out in a square full of people celebrating the title, and you always think it's a dream when you start playing for Spain to one day be amongst the top scorers, or to be the captain. I've achieved both those things, step by step.
"Every time I hear the anthem and I wear the [captain's] armband it is unbelievable. I only try to help my team-mates, make sure they're happy but also drum into them that a competition like this is all about very small details. We're not here on holiday, and this month is about working hard."
'We have a wonderful future' - De la Fuente delighted by Spain's youngsters
Luis de la Fuente has praised Spain's youngsters after they starred in the dramatic late win over Switzerland in the Nations League on Monday.
Bryan Zaragoza sealed the 3-2 victory with a stoppage-time penalty after the visitors had twice come from behind to level after Yeremy Pino and Bryan Gil's goals in Tenerife.
Spain dominated throughout the match, having 21 shots, 10 of which were on target, as they created 3.21 expected goals (xG) and rounded off an unbeaten group stage.
Excluding friendlies, the European champions are unbeaten in their 13 matches in 2024 in all competitions (W12 D1), setting the record for their most competitive matches without defeat in a single year, as well as their most wins.
La Roja will be one of the seeded teams in the Nations League quarter-finals in March after topping Group A4, and De la Fuente was particularly proud of how the next generation of players have performed in 2024.
"We are very happy. It is football like that, and we know the high level and equality that exists. We must value so many victories and, above all, the victory over a great team like Switzerland," De la Fuente said.
"Before, it was also a great team. The difference is that now we win, and we win everything. We are used to competing for the best and having great results. Without thinking about the past.
"I don't worry about it. I have always said that we have a magnificent present and a wonderful future, thanks to the great footballers that there are in Spain. They are the best in the world.
"They are very good. They are the best players. We know what they give, and we have to make them feel comfortable to show their football. The message gets through quickly, and we are privileged to have these players."
Spain 3-2 Switzerland: Zaragoza penalty snatches dramatic late win
Bryan Zaragoza snatched a late win for Spain, who had twice been pegged back, as they beat Switzerland 3-2 in the Nations League on Monday.
Spain started the game strongly, with Alex Grimaldo forcing a good save from Yvon Mvogo before Alvaro Morata wasted a golden chance after racing in behind the Swiss defence.
They got their reward just after the half-hour mark – Morata was bundled over in the box, and though Pedri saw the resulting spot-kick saved, Yeremy Pino fired in the rebound of Nico Williams' blocked follow-up shot.
Joel Monteiro's half-time introduction changed the game, and after fizzing an early chance wide, he scored a stunning solo goal, weaving inside from the right before finishing from a tight angle in the 63rd minute.
Bryan Gil restored Spain's lead five minutes later, jinking away from two defenders with some clever footwork and beating Mvogo with a pacy shot, before Zeqiri levelled the scoreline for a second time with a sweeping penalty.
However, Zaragoza would have the final say in the 93rd minute after Vincent Sierro, who had won Switzerland's penalty at the other end, brought him down, and the substitute emphatically fired in the winner.
Spain finish top of Group A4, going unbeaten across their six games, while Switzerland are relegated to League B after failing to win any of their matches.
Data Debrief: Spain extend unbeaten run
The result on Monday would not have affected Spain's hold on top spot in the group, but Luis de la Fuente's side showed their mettle as they kept fighting to the end.
Excluding friendlies, La Roja have played 13 matches in 2024 in all competitions and have not lost a single one (W12 D1), setting the record for their most competitive matches without defeat in a single year, as well as their most wins.
In fact, Spain are currently on a run of 21 competitive games without defeat in all competitions (W19 D2), their best run since June 2010-13 (29).
Denmark 1-2 Spain: Oyarzabal and Perez on target as Roja secure top spot
Spain secured top spot in Group A4 of the Nations League with one match to spare after defeating Denmark 2-1 in Copenhagen.
Mikel Oyarzabal and Ayoze Perez were on the scoresheet as the unbeaten Roja made it four wins and a draw to pull six points clear of the second-placed Danes.
Luis de la Fuente's side capitalised on a poor pass from Denmark centre-back Jannik Vestergaard to open the scoring as Oyarzabal latched on to a ball from Perez and finished past Kasper Schmeichel in the 15th minute.
Villarreal forward Perez then doubled the visitors' lead in the 58th minute after Dani Olmo turned provider with a defence-splitting pass.
The hosts reduced the deficit with six minutes of regulation time left, as Fabian Ruiz's back pass to goalkeeper David Raya was intercepted by Gustav Isaksen, who had been denied by the woodwork moments earlier, and he slotted into an open goal to set up a tense ending.
But the Spaniards held on for the win and will now face Switzerland in their final group game on Monday, before taking part in the quarter-finals, scheduled for March.
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