Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal Absent from World Cup Qualifiers
Barcelona’s young talent Lamine Yamal will be absent from Spain’s upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Georgia and Turkey due to a persistent groin injury. At just 18 years old, Yamal was recently included in the national squad; however, he underwent a minor procedure on Monday in Barcelona to address his injury—an operation that the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) was not made aware of until later in the day.
RFEF’s Statement on Communication Issues
In a statement, the RFEF expressed its astonishment at FC Barcelona for not communicating this information about Yamal’s health status, emphasizing that the first notice they received was at 1:47 PM on Monday, coinciding with the initiation of the national team’s training camp. They learned of the procedure only through a report received later that evening, which recommended a rest period of 7-10 days for the player. This lack of communication led the RFEF to prioritize Yamal’s health and subsequently release him from the squad.
Ongoing Conflict Between Club and Country
This incident adds another layer to an ongoing conflict between club and country that began in September. Yamal initially returned to FC Barcelona from international duty with a groin issue, which did not sit well with Barça coach Hansi Flick, who publicly criticized the Spanish national team’s management of player health. This sparked a brief exchange of words between Flick and Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, who dismissed the remarks.
Yamal’s Performance and Future Matches
Despite his injury struggles, Yamal managed to compete in Barcelona’s last six fixtures, netting four goals and providing three assists. Still, Flick reiterated the need for caution regarding Yamal’s recovery. He noted improvements in Yamal’s training habits but underscored that the injury has not been completely resolved.
“We must ensure his well-being, and that responsibility falls on both us and the national team,”
Flick remarked.
Replacement and Upcoming Matches
Taking Yamal’s spot in the national squad is Rayo Vallecano’s Jorge de Frutos. As Spain aims to secure their spot for the World Cup set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer, they need to earn at least four points from their two crucial matches. If Turkey fails to win against Bulgaria, Spain could also qualify with a lesser point tally.
Looking ahead, Yamal is expected to participate in the forthcoming challenging matchups for FC Barcelona following the international break, beginning with a LaLiga clash against Athletic Club and later facing Chelsea in the Champions League.
