Spain’s young football star Lamine Yamal is no stranger to the limelight. In the weeks leading up to the World Cup, he found himself thrust into the middle of a social media debate regarding his fitness and availability for the tournament as well as his unapologetic pro-Palestine activism.On the eve of Spain’s second World Cup match against Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium in the US state of Georgia, he was subjected to playful banter from Saudi fans.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list“Where is Yamaaaaal? Where is Yamal?” they chanted through the streets of Atlanta.The video clip was seen as a throwback to a viral moment from Saudi Arabia’s shock World Cup 2022 win over eventual champions Argentina when one Saudi fan interrupted an international channel’s broadcast by saying: “Where’s [Lionel] Messi?”Statement startThe Saudi chant might have also been a jibe at Spain’s lacklustre display in their opening match of the World Cup against debutants Cape Verde, who held the European champions to a goalless draw.Yamal, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury, came on as a 70th-minute substitute but failed to break the deadlock as Cape Verde’s heroic goalkeeper Vozinha kept a clean sheet. On the same day, Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 against Uruguay, much to the delight of the Arab team’s fans.When the Saudi fans took over parts of Atlanta, where Yamal’s face occupies a large wall mural and skyscraper advertisement, they wondered if the 18-year-old would fail to turn up against their team on Sunday.It didn’t take Yamal long to answer that question. Ten minutes into his first full 9 …
