Spain suffered a setback ahead of their World Cup qualifiers as teenage star Lamine Yamal was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury. Below you will see information about this news which has been summarized The Football Insight.
The Barcelona winger underwent radiofrequency therapy this week to treat pubalgia a painful groin condition that often takes weeks to heal. The treatment means he will miss Spain’s matches against Georgia and Turkey, with recovery expected to take up to ten days.
What caught Spain’s Football Federation (RFEF) off guard was the timing. The medical procedure was reportedly done without prior notice to Spain’s medical team, who only learned about it late the night before. This lack of communication reignited tensions between Barcelona and the national setup, both of whom have been at odds over the teenager’s workload.
The RFEF described the situation as “surprising,” emphasizing that they would have appreciated transparency from Barcelona. For now, Yamal’s priority is rest and recovery, but the fallout between the two sides continues to grow.
He Left Very Sad: De la Fuente Opens Up
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente revealed that Yamal was heartbroken about leaving the national team camp. “Lamine is very sad,” De la Fuente told El Larguero. “He’s deeply committed to Spain and was eager to play. He left hurt and disappointed he always wants to be here.”
De la Fuente explained that the 17-year-old was in good spirits when he first arrived and didn’t show major signs of discomfort. The decision to send him home only came after receiving the medical report late in the evening. “We didn’t know anything until last night,” he said. “He was fine when he arrived, so this came as a surprise to everyone.”
For Yamal, who has quickly become one of Spain’s brightest young stars, missing key qualifiers is a blow. He had his eyes on helping Spain secure their World Cup spot and on building momentum ahead of next year’s tournaments.
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Communication Breakdown Between Barcelona and RFEF
This isn’t the first time Barcelona and Spain have clashed over Yamal’s health. During the September break, Barca coach Hansi Flick accused the Spanish team of “not protecting” the young winger after a minor injury. De la Fuente fired back then and now finds himself once again clarifying his position.
The coach insists that relations with Barcelona remain “good,” but admitted he was surprised by their lack of communication about the medical procedure. “At least they should have told us,” he said. “After that, they’re free to do what’s best for their player.”
De la Fuente also criticized Flick’s earlier comments, saying he had “missed empathy.” He stressed that the Spanish staff always put players’ well-being first. “We never take risks with injured players,” he said. “We prioritize the footballer above everything.”
Managing a Fragile Talent
Yamal’s battle with pubalgia poses a serious concern for both club and country. The condition is known to linger and requires careful management to avoid long-term damage. De la Fuente confirmed that Spain’s doctors were unaware of the issue before the recent treatment. “He only mentioned lower back pain,” he said. “We didn’t know about pubalgia.” The coach acknowledged that injuries are part of football, especially for young players adapting to heavy schedules.
“You can plan rotations, rest, and training, but football always surprises you,” he noted. Spain will continue to monitor Yamal’s recovery closely, while Barcelona hopes to have him fit soon. For now, both sides must find a balance protecting one of Europe’s brightest prospects while avoiding another round of public tension. Follow footballcoasters.co.uk for weekly deep dives into football’s biggest story.