Spain boss responds to Lamine Yamal controversy – ‘Never experienced anything like it’

Spain superstar Lamine Yamal will miss the next two World Cup qualifiers after undergoing a procedure that has seen a club versus country row develop with Barcelona

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has described the circumstances around Lamine Yamal’s absence from his squad as ‘not very normal’. The international coach who guided Los Rojos to the Euro 2024 title has revealed he was surprised to discover he would be without the influential Barcelona star for World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey.

De la Fuente’s reaction comes after the national federation said they were surprised that Yamal had undergone an invasive procedure. The RFEF did not discover that this was occurring until the day the international was due to join up with his Spanish team-mates.

Despite being just 18, Yamal already has 23 caps but will not add to them in the next 10 days. The teenage star has instead undergone an invasive radio-frequency procedure to deal with a persistent pubaglia issue.

The groin issue has already seen Yamal miss four La Liga matches this season. The prodigal talent has scored or assisted in all but one of the other eight games. Spain boss De la Fuente was forthright in a radio interview in his homeland where he expressed his surprise at the situation.

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“Of course I was surprised. When you don’t know anything about it, you don’t know any details, and then someone tells you, you’re surprised. Especially with a medical issue,” De la Fuente told RNE Deportes.

“There are procedures that happen outside the Federation. That’s how it is, and we have to accept it. [It] isn’t very normal. No, I’ve never experienced a situation like this. I don’t think it’s very normal.”

Spain’s football association has been left frustrated by the way it has all unfolded. They believe Yamal should enjoy a swift recovery, but rest has been recommended.

The Spanish Federation said in a statement: “The Medical Services of the RFEF wish to express their surprise and discomfort after learning at 13:47 on Monday, November 10, the day of the start of the official training camp with the national team, that player Lamine Yamal had undergone an invasive radiofrequency procedure for the treatment of his pubic discomfort that same morning.

“This procedure was carried out without prior communication to the medical staff of the National Team, with knowledge of the details only through a report received at 22:40 last night, which indicated the medical recommendation of rest for 7-10 days.

“Given this situation, and prioritizing at all times the health, safety and well-being of the player, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has made the decision to release the athlete from the current call-up.

“We are confident that he will recover well and wish him a speedy and full recovery.”

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