Lamine Yamal loses passport after Spain's win over Turkey in World Cup qualifiers

Reporter Emir of Turkish sports channel Beyaz Futbol captured the moment Yamal had to step off the team bus to go back and find his passport. The young forward browsed through the locker room and the Konya Buyuksehir Stadium area but came up empty-handed.

"Yamal lost his passport. He took a long time to search for it, returned to the locker room but still had no results. In the end, Yamal left without getting his passport back," Emir wrote on X.

Lamine Yamal before the World Cup qualifier between Spain and Turkey on Sept. 7, 2025. Photo by Instagram/@lamineyamal

On Sunday at Konya Buyuksehir Stadium, Spain dominated possession with 51%, taking 21 shots (12 on target) compared to Turkey's 11 (2 on target). The visitors scored six goals, highlighted by a hat-trick from Mikel Merino, a brace from Pedri and a goal from Ferran Torres.

Although Yamal did not score, he still left his mark with eight dribbles, four key passes, three big chances created and two assists. Sofascore gave him 9.4 points, equal to Pedri and just behind Merino (9.7).

Spain's victory marked their second-highest away win in World Cup qualifiers, following an 8-0 triumph over Liechtenstein in September 2017. Luis de la Fuente's side now lead Group E with six points, followed by Georgia and Turkey with three points each, while Bulgaria are at the bottom without a point.

Spain's camp later confirmed the problem was resolved and Yamal would have no problem traveling back with the team, beIN SPORTS reported.

Yamal, a prodigy of Spanish football, is considered one of the best players in the world and is in contention for the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

After the match, Yamal returned to Barcelona to prepare for the La Liga match against Valencia on Sept. 14. Four days later, he and the team will face Newcastle in the Champions League opener.