Tottenham’s Pedro Porro has hit back at critics of Ferran Torres and hailed “incredible” Lamine Yamal after Spain won their second World Cup.
Spain lifted the trophy for the first time since 2010 on Sunday after defeating ten-man Argentina 1-0 in the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The only goal of the game came in the second half of 30 minutes of extra time, and was scored by substitute Torres following a knock-down from Nico Williams.
“I haven't been able to speak with him yet, but I congratulated him because this kid's mentality is spectacular,” Porro said of the goalscorer afterwards.
“I think he works incredibly hard both at Barca and here with us. Some people have been very unfair to him, and I think his mentality of continuing to work hard, of continuing to improve every day, has paid off today. He's made his mark with the goal, giving us a world championship, and I truly only have words of gratitude for him because he's a kid who deserves it.”
Yamal played the full 120 minutes of the final., and the 19-year-old has come in for some criticism during the tournament, where he arrived lacking full fitness after injury. He went on to score one goal and register one assist in eight matches.
“I think Lamine is incredible,” the Spurs defender said. “He is a young boy, but I think the most important thing for him now is congratulations to him.
“I ultimately play in the Premier League. I'm outside of Spain, they don't see me much, but I'm left with the people who, as I've always said, truly love me and have supported me. From minute one, because since my debut with the national team, it's never been easy to establish myself here, and now I'm very happy that life has given me this back.”
