Lamine Yamal has no particular privileges – Spain coach

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has dismissed claims that Barcelona ahead Lamine Yamal acquired preferential remedy after being allowed to affix the nationwide crew later than his teammates.

The 19-year-old was ignored of Spain’s travelling squad for Thursday’s Nations League encounter in opposition to the Czech Republic after experiencing discomfort and irritation in his proper knee following Barcelona’s La Liga victory over Atletico Madrid.

Yamal remained in Barcelona to proceed his restoration below the supervision of the membership’s medical workers, with De la Fuente insisting that the choice was made to guard the participant and keep away from pointless travelling.

No particular remedy for Yamal

Speaking on Wednesday, De la Fuente rejected options that Yamal was being given particular privileges due to his significance to the Spanish nationwide crew.

The coach defined that maintaining {the teenager} in Barcelona was a medical resolution and never a favour prolonged to one among Spain’s greatest stars.

“I decided that, to avoid the trip, it would be better for him to stay at home and continue treatment with his club,” De la Fuente mentioned.

He pressured that the identical resolution would have been taken if one other participant had been in an analogous state of affairs.

“Lamine Yamal doesn’t have any special privileges. We would have done this for any other player,” the Spain coach said.

Coach indignant over stories

De la Fuente additionally expressed frustration over stories suggesting that Yamal’s standing as a key participant influenced the choice to permit him to stay with Barcelona.

The Spain coach criticised what he described as inaccurate stories and mentioned he was notably involved by what he considered a scarcity of truthfulness within the protection surrounding the difficulty.

“What hurts me most is the lying, the lack of rigour, the absence of truthfulness and the fabrication. I can’t stand people who try to deceive you and lie,” he added.

Yamal’s workload below scrutiny

The state of affairs comes amid growing consideration on Yamal’s workload after {the teenager} established himself as a key determine for each Barcelona and Spain.

Yamal has made 16 appearances for Barcelona this season, scoring 13 targets and offering 12 assists.

The ahead additionally featured in 45 matches final season, underlining the heavy calls for positioned on him regardless of his younger age.

For Spain, Yamal has made 14 appearances in 2026 and has grow to be an necessary a part of De la Fuente’s plans because the nationwide crew prepares for main worldwide fixtures.

Spain hopeful of Yamal return

Despite the knee drawback, De la Fuente stays optimistic in regards to the ahead’s restoration and believes Yamal may return to the nationwide crew squad earlier than Sunday’s conflict with England.

“The recovery is going well and we believe he will be with us on Friday,” he mentioned.

Yamal’s eventual return, nevertheless, will rely upon his restoration from the knee discomfort and the evaluation of Spain’s medical crew.

Oyarzabal additionally set to affix squad late

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal can be anticipated to affix the Spanish squad later than his teammates.

Oyarzabal has been recovering from flu and was additionally given time to take care of private issues following the arrival of his second baby.

His delayed arrival additional helps De la Fuente’s argument that gamers could be given flexibility when medical or private circumstances make rapid journey pointless.

Spain will subsequently hope that each Yamal and Oyarzabal can be a part of the squad in time to contribute to the crew’s preparations for the England encounter.

For Yamal, the rapid precedence stays his restoration, with Barcelona and Spain each eager to make sure that the younger ahead returns to motion with out aggravating the knee drawback.