MADRID, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has praised Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal at the first day of training with the national team ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifying games away to Bulgaria and Türkiye on September 4 and 7.

Yamal has already played over 20 games for Spain despite only recently celebrating his 18th birthday and the fact that his private life has recently become a subject of interest for gossip columns has brought him even more into the spotlight.

Speaking to the FIFA's website before his squad flies to Bulgaria, De la Fuente said Yamal was "under tremendous media pressure; he has to work incredibly hard to be able to keep up with the demands."

The coach insisted Yamal had "earned everything," adding, "We have to value a kid who was already playing for the national team at 16," and focusing on the scrutiny the winger is under.

"He has to be an example both on and off the pitch; he's maturing, and we have to help him because he's very young," reflected De la Fuente, who was confident the player would be able to deal with the pressure.

"He's incredibly mature for an 18-year-old, but he has to keep growing and maturing. It's a natural process, and we're here to help him."

"As a footballer, he's brilliant, with natural talent and extraordinary talent. He knows perfectly well that if sacrifice and effort aren't combined with that talent, he won't achieve the heights many people have tipped him to reach. He works hard to improve every day. He's very intelligent and grasps ideas very quickly," commented the coach.

De la Fuente was forced into a change in his squad late on Monday, with Rayo Vallecano forward Jorge de Frutos called up after Yeremy Pino was injured at the weekend. ■