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Football Insider

Lamine Yamal Withdraws from Spain Squad Due to Latest Injury Issue: A Closer Look at the Barcelona-Spanish FA Feud

The Spanish national team faced a setback as Lamine Yamal withdrew due to an injury, shedding light on the ongoing Barcelona-Spanish Football Federation feud. Here's a detailed analysis of the situation.

Lamine Yamal Withdraws from Spain Squad Due to Latest Injury Issue: A Closer Look at the Barcelona-Spanish FA Feud

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente revealed that Lamine Yamal was "very sad" to withdraw from the Spanish national team after an invasive radiofrequency therapy this week ruled him out for over a week. The Barcelona youngster has been diagnosed with pubalgia and has struggled with fitness recently, while De la Fuente's latest words add another chapter to the feud between the Catalans and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).The Spanish national team suffered a major setback on Tuesday morning after Yamal was released from the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey on November 15 and 18. The Barcelona winger recently underwent invasive radiofrequency therapy to address his ongoing pubalgia issues and is expected to be sidelined for seven to 10 days.According to an official statement from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the medical procedure came as a “surprise,” as it was “carried out without prior notification to the national team’s medical staff,” who only learned of the details upon receiving a report at 10:40 p.m. the previous night.De la Fuente, speaking on El Larguero, confessed that Yamal was extremely sad over his release from the national camp. “Lamine is sad. He’s a player deeply committed to the national team and very well-liked," he said. "He left very sad; he was looking forward to playing these matches. He wants to have a great season with his club, and he also has the Finalissima and the World Cup etched in his memory. He’s the one who suffers the most. He always wants to come. He left sad and hurt. Anyone who says otherwise is lying or has bad intentions.“I spoke with him. When we received the report last night, we let him rest. We went to his room and I spoke with him. I told him it was the first news he'd heard from the national team; I don't know if he had any information about Barcelona. He was incredibly sad and hurt. He was fine when he arrived. We didn't know anything until last night.”Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!During the September international break, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick sparked tensions between the club and the Spanish national team – including De la Fuente – by accusing them of "failing to take care" of Yamal as he suffered a knock on international duty. Flick's words triggered a war of words between the involved parties, with Barca and the RFEF engaging in a tense back and forth. Even De la Fuente claimed that he wasn't "interested" in what the German boss had to say.However, on Tuesday, he reflected on the matter. He started by revealing that Barca had not given prior notice regarding the medical procedure Yamal underwent. “Nothing more has happened than what was stated in the RFEF press release," he said. "Relations are good. I have a very good relationship with Barcelona, its president, and the board of directors. What was stated in the press release is what happened."At least they should have communicated what they planned to do to him. After that, they're free to do whatever they think is appropriate for their player. Ask them (on why Barca aren't communicating). It's something that is, to say the least, surprising."He addressed the criticism faced by the RFEF and said that he "missed Flick's empathy." “Nothing could be further from the truth. The priority here is the person, the footballer. When that's mentioned, I'm surprised, shocked," he conceded. "There are cases of players who have been here and then had to go home. We don't take that risk with any of them, because we prioritize the footballer and we also work with a great youth academy."I would do the same with Lamine; he was fit to play those matches. What we do is assess his condition, the communication he gives us... and we make the decisions.“Those of us who have been footballers know that taking Voltaren or a painkiller is normal. There is nothing worse than ignorance and lack of knowledge. Bad faith, too. Barca wants to defend its player, and so do we.“If I had something to say to a colleague, I would do it privately. I don't do it publicly because I might be wrong. I've missed Flick's empathy, because he was a national team coach. Otherwise, I have no problem with him.”Yamal’s diagnosis with pubalgia presents a significant challenge, given that the chronic groin condition is resistant to quick recovery and can persist for extended periods. "They hadn't told us anything. The footballer didn't mention any pubalgia discomfort either, only lower back pain," said De la Fuente when asked when he found out about the injury. “Unfortunately, there will be other injuries. That's football. Football is high-risk and you can get injured. We're seeing injuries in all kinds of situations. That's what worries me. “You can have a plan to rotate players, give them rest and opportunities, but football takes you in other directions. In theory, we try to manage their minutes carefully, keeping in mind that we have two matches where everything is at stake. But not just today, always.”

1

Lamine Yamal’s Unfortunate Withdrawal

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente disclosed that a disappointed Lamine Yamal had to leave the Spanish national team due to an invasive radiofrequency therapy for his ongoing pubalgia issues that necessitated a break of seven to 10 days.

2

Catalans vs. Spanish Football Federation

Yamal's sudden treatment came without prior notice to Spain's medical staff, indicating a lack of communication between Barcelona and the RFEF. This incident further ignites the ongoing conflict between the Catalan club and the Spanish FA.

3

Luis de la Fuente Reveals Yamal's Disappointment

De la Fuente expressed his conversation with Yamal about the situation, highlighting the player's sadness and eagerness to represent Spain. The coach emphasized the player's commitment and disappointment, putting to rest any doubts about Yamal's emotions.

4

Tensions Between Barcelona and Spanish National Team

The problems between Barcelona and the Spanish national team escalated during the September international break, with accusations flying back and forth. De la Fuente clarified that Barcelona had not informed them about Yamal's medical procedure, adding another layer to the strained relationship.

5

Handling of Player Injuries

De la Fuente defended the RFEF's approach to player care and injury management, emphasizing the importance of putting the player's well-being first. The coach stressed the need for open communication to best support the players.

6

Challenges with Pubalgia Diagnosis

Yamal's diagnosis with pubalgia presents a complex recovery process, indicating a prolonged absence to address the chronic condition. De la Fuente expressed concern over the unpredictable nature of injuries in football despite careful planning.

Published on Nov 12, 2025