Spain star Lamine Yamal feared he would miss the World Cup after injuring his hamstring playing for Barcelona in April.
Yamal, 18, was named in Spain's 26-player squad last week and is expected to be fit for the tournament that begins in North America on June 11.
However, his participation in the finals had been in doubt after picking up an injury which left him praying he would recover in time.
"I never had a hamstring injury like that but I knew that it wasn't going to be a short recovery time," Yamal said in an interview with the Royal Spanish Football Federation [RFEF].
"I was afraid that it was something serious or that it could relapse and that I would miss the World Cup."
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Yamal had initially gone down clutching his hamstring after converting a penalty in Barça's win over Celta Vigo on April 22.
Barça coach Hansi Flick later revealed the teenager had picked up the injury when he was fouled in the move which led to the spot kick.
"I remember the play in which I got injured," Yamal added.
"I was praying inside for it not to be serious, for it to be a cramp or something like that, because I knew the World Cup was very close."
Yamal was ruled out for the rest of the season with Barça, missing the May 10 Clásico when they won LaLiga against Real Madrid, but Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is optimistic he will be fit for Spain's opener in Group H against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta.
The European champions then face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
"We knew [Lamine] was going to arrive in perfect condition and I would even risk saying that he will be [ready] for the first game," De la Fuente told Mundo Deportivo after the Spain squad officially began its World Cup preparations in Madrid over the weekend.
"But we will see how his recovery continues to evolve now he's here with us, having previously been in daily communication with the club."
It will be Yamal's first World Cup with Spain's senior side after playing a major role as they won the European Championships in Germany two years ago.
"The moment has finally arrived," Yamal said.
"I think that ever since the European Championship ended, we've all been thinking about this day, and we are all very excited.
"We will go into the tournament as the European champions and we are going to give it everything we have to win it."
Spain take on Iraq in A Coruña on Thursday before flying to the United States on Friday. They then face Peru in Mexico in their final pre-tournament friendly next Monday.