Barcelona striker Lamine Yamal will miss Spain’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey, as he continues to manage an ongoing thigh problem.
Yamal (18 years old) was called up to the Spanish national team last week, but he underwent a small surgery in Barcelona on Monday, without the knowledge of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, to try to solve the problem.
The Spanish Federation said they were “surprised” by Barcelona’s decision not to inform them of the situation, but they accepted that Yamal needed a rest for 7 to 10 days, and thus allowed him to return to Barcelona.
A statement from the Spanish Federation read: “The medical services of the Spanish Football Federation would like to express their surprise and concern after learning at 1:47 pm on Monday 10 November, the day of the official start of the national team’s training camp, that Yamal underwent a surgical radiofrequency procedure to treat the pubic pain he was suffering from that same morning.”
He added: “This procedure was implemented without prior notification to the national team’s medical staff, who only learned of the details through a report received at 10:40 pm on Monday, which indicated a medical recommendation to rest for 7 to 10 days.”
He added: “In light of this situation, and prioritizing the player’s health, safety and well-being at all times, the Spanish Football Federation has taken the decision to release the player from the current team.”
It is the latest chapter in a club versus country saga that began in September, when Yamal returned from international duty for the first time due to the issue.
At the time, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick accused Spain of failing to properly care for its players, which led to a minor scuffle with the team. Red Coach Luis de la Fuente, who said he was not interested in the German coach’s complaints.
Yamal missed four matches with Barcelona, but returned to play two matches against Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain at the end of September. He then missed the loss against Seville in October and missed two matches against Spain during the last international break.
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After that, he started Barcelona’s last six matches in all competitions, scoring four goals and making three assists, but Flick confirmed on several occasions that he still suffers from a thigh problem.
“We have to take care of him,” Flick said of Yamal’s ongoing recovery work on Saturday. “For me, he has changed his discipline. He is much better now. He is training really well. And also in the gym, the treatments he undergoes every day. It is important for this injury that he does this way.
“I also think he’s back to his best level, but it’s not over yet, so this injury isn’t over. We have to take care of him, not only us, but the national team as well.”
Rayo Vallecano striker Jorge de Frutos has been called up in place of Yamal as Spain bids to book its place in next summer’s World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Spain will secure its place in the finals with four points from its matches against Georgia and Turkey, but may also qualify with fewer points if Turkey does not beat Bulgaria.
Meanwhile, Yamal should return for a tough series of fixtures against Barcelona after the international break, starting with a home match against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga and a trip to Chelsea in the Champions League.
