Rabiot plays down the spotlight on Lamine Yamal

With France and Spain set to meet in one of the biggest matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Adrien Rabiot has dismissed suggestions that Didier Deschamps' side is building its game plan around stopping Lamine Yamal.

The Barcelona teenager arrives at the semifinal as one of Spain's biggest attacking threats, but the French midfielder insists Les Bleus are preparing for an entire team rather than a single individual.

His comments come almost two years after the two players became linked through one of the most memorable storylines of Euro 2024.

The Euro 2024 comments that came back to haunt him

Ahead of France's semifinal against Spain at Euro 2024, Rabiot questioned whether the then-17-year-old Yamal was truly ready for football's biggest occasions.

The Spain winger answered in the best possible way.

After posting the now-famous message, "Move in silence, speak only when it's time to say checkmate," on social media, Yamal scored a spectacular goal as Spain eliminated France on its way to lifting the European title.

Asked whether France had developed a specific strategy to contain the young star this time around, Rabiot rejected the idea.

"There is no anti-Lamine Yamal plan," he said. "We're focusing on the Spain national team, not just one player. We know they're dangerous everywhere: him, their attacking players, their possession, their ability to find spaces around the box and combine. We have to be aware of all of that. I don't think we should focus on only one individual."

France believes its preparation will make the difference

Rabiot also spoke about France's confidence ahead of another major semifinal.

The midfielder stressed that reaching the final will depend entirely on what happens on the field, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining the humility that has defined Les Bleus throughout the tournament.

"Nothing guarantees that we're going to win. That will be decided on the pitch," Rabiot said. "We're focused, we're going to prepare very well for this match and we trust the journey we've had so far. We have to believe in ourselves, but always with the humility that has defined us since the beginning of the tournament."

France arrives in Dallas after eliminating Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco to reach its third consecutive World Cup semifinal.

No regrets over his previous remarks

Rabiot was also asked whether he regretted the comments he made about Yamal before Euro 2024.

The France international offered a calm response, making it clear that he had no intention of revisiting the controversy.

"I don't really remember those comments," he said. "But if I said them, it was because that's what I thought at the time."

His answer effectively closed the door on any renewed war of words before Tuesday's showdown.

A place in the World Cup Final is on the line

While much of the attention has centered on the matchup between Rabiot and Yamal, France knows it faces one of the most complete teams in the tournament.

Spain enters the semifinal riding an impressive unbeaten run and boasting one of the competition's most balanced squads, led by Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal.

For France, slowing down Spain's collective play—not just one rising superstar—may ultimately be the key to reaching another FIFA World Cup Final.

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