Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has confessed Lamine Yamal was not 100% during September’s international camp, but denied responsibility for the injury which sidelined him for four matches.
Barcelona diagnosed Yamal with a groin injury upon his return from Spain duty, prompting Hansi Flick to lash out at a perceived lack of protection from the national team. Officials inside Spain were reportedly stunned by the manager’s claims.
De la Fuente insisted he simply “did not care” when the issue was raised again earlier this week, before naming the Barcelona teenager and 2025 Ballon d’Or runner-up in his squad for October’s international fixtures as well.
“I always tell the truth,” De la Fuente told reporters on his management of Yamal during the September break. “What happened was that, when the match ended, he had some kind of discomfort. But I’ve never played without discomfort.
“Nothing happened. Our medical services explained it, I explained it. Nothing more. Did he then have discomfort after the match? Well, I don’t know.
“Here, the risk is zero. Whoever comes here, comes healthy, in the right condition to play. And when they get sent home, it’s because we’ve determined they can’t be here because they’re taking a risk.”
