After the second round match of the 2025-26 Champions League group stage against PSG, Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal contacted Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente, reports AS.
Yamal informed the coach of recurring groin pain and requested two weeks' rest. De la Fuente responded that if Yamal played for his club despite discomfort, he should be able to play for the national team.
Following this, Barcelona’s sporting director Deco reached out to Spain’s development director Aitor Karanka, who agreed with de la Fuente’s position. Barcelona protested when Yamal appeared on the national team roster for the October 3 friendlies, viewing it as a provocation by the coach.
Barcelona then issued an official statement on Yamal’s injury, leading the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to remove him from the squad. The team denies that RFEF demanded medical proof, considering Yamal’s own request to skip the national team sufficient.
In the 2025-26 season, Yamal has played five matches for Barcelona in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing four assists.
After seven rounds of La Liga, Hans-Dieter Flick’s team leads the table with 19 points. Their next match against Sevilla is on October 5 at 17:15 GMT+3.
