Lamine Yamal has been withdrawn from the Spain national team just hours after being named to the squad, following confirmation from Barcelona that the young forward has suffered a recurrence of a groin injury. The 18-year-old is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks, ruling him out of Barcelona’s upcoming LaLiga match against Sevilla and Spain’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria.
Yamal’s injury was officially announced by Barcelona, who stated, “The discomfort in the pubic area that player Lamine Yamal has been experiencing has reappeared after the match against PSG. He will be out for the Sevilla game, and the estimated recovery time is 2-3 weeks.” This setback comes after Yamal had made a significant return to action, having played 90 minutes in a recent Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain and making a substitute appearance in a win against Real Sociedad.
Impact on Upcoming Matches
The absence of Yamal is a blow for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Barcelona’s upcoming fixtures include the LaLiga match against Sevilla on October 8, followed by matches against Girona and Olympiacos. The club faces a significant challenge as they prepare for the first El Clásico of the season against Real Madrid on October 26, a match Yamal hopes to return for.
For Spain, the situation is equally pressing. Coach Luis de la Fuente had initially included Yamal in his squad for the World Cup qualifiers set for October 11 against Georgia and October 14 against Bulgaria. With Yamal unavailable, Spain will need to rely on other players to secure crucial points in their quest for World Cup qualification. Spain currently leads their qualifying group with a perfect record, and securing six points in these matches would solidify their position, provided other results go their way.
Reactions and Future Communication
The situation has drawn attention, particularly after recent comments from Germany’s national team coach, Hansi Flick, who criticized the management of young players. Flick had previously accused Spain of “failing to take care” of its younger talents. In response, de la Fuente emphasized that there is no conflict with Flick and expressed surprise at the German coach’s remarks, stating, “I was just surprised with the comments he made because he’s been a national team coach.”
Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has indicated that he has engaged in discussions with Aitor Karanka, his counterpart at the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), to ensure improved communication between the club and national team moving forward. This dialogue is crucial, as both parties aim to prioritize the health and development of young athletes like Yamal.
As Spain prepares for their upcoming matches, the focus will now shift to alternative players. Notably, Álvaro Morata, the team’s captain in previous squads, has been omitted despite not being injured. Other absentees include Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, who is sidelined due to injury, along with Dani Carvajal, Gavi, and Fermín López.
The Spain squad for the qualifiers now includes goalkeepers Unai Simón, David Raya, and Álex Remiro; defenders Alejandro Grimaldo, Marc Cucurella, and Pau Cubarsí; midfielders Rodri, Dani Olmo, and Pedri; as well as forwards Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, and Yeremy Pino, among others.
As Yamal continues his recovery, both Barcelona and Spain will be keenly monitoring his progress, hoping for a swift return to the pitch. His talent and potential are pivotal for the future of both teams, and fans will be eagerly awaiting his comeback.
