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Hollywood actor Tom Holland believes Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal has the ideal combination of athleticism and flair to play Spider-Man. The Marvel star drew the comparison during his trip to Madrid for the 2026 World Cup, where he has been following Spain’s campaign closely.

Holland picks his perfect Spider-Man

While promoting his upcoming film 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' alongside Zendaya, the British actor took time to chat about football and its potential superheroes.

In an interview with DAZN at Spain’s World Cup fan zone, Holland was asked which footballer he thought could best portray Peter Parker’s alter ego. Without hesitation, he named the young Barcelona and Spain winger, Lamine Yamal.

Yamal, who was comforted by his girlfriend Ines Garcia after a challenging start to the 2026 tournament, earned glowing praise from Holland. The actor said the teenager would be “perfect to play Spider-Man because of his speed, technique, and the way he moves with agility on the pitch.”

Holland on Spain’s World Cup chances

Even amid the excitement around his new film, Holland has been keeping an eye on the football action in North America.

He shared an upbeat assessment of Luis de la Fuente’s squad, despite their opening game against Cape Verde not going as planned. “Spain is one of football’s great historic powers,” Holland remarked during his appearance in Madrid.

The actor expressed confidence that the European heavyweights could bounce back from their early struggles and make a deep run in the tournament. He added that he firmly believes the team “can deliver a great competition” as they aim for their second world championship.

The Spider-Man link with Julian Alvarez

The discussion also turned to Atletico Madrid and Argentina forward Julian Alvarez, who is widely known by his nickname ‘Spider’ and celebrates his goals with a web-shooting gesture. Holland admitted he is a big admirer of the Argentine striker — both as a player and as a valuable member of his fantasy football team.

Holland revealed that Alvarez is part of his fantasy lineup and commented that he too “would be an excellent candidate to wear the superhero costume.” The actor even extended an open invitation to Alvarez, saying he would love to meet him in person and wished him success for the rest of the World Cup.

Star power meets football fever in Madrid

Holland’s appearance in Madrid has created quite a buzz, coinciding with the excitement of the first 48-team World Cup. His visit to the fan zone underscored how pop culture and sport continue to merge at major international events. Supporters flocked to catch a glimpse of the actor who has brought one of cinema’s most iconic heroes to life.

With 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' set to release on July 29, Holland’s praise for Yamal stands as another nod to the 18-year-old’s rising stardom on the global stage.

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