A serious crisis may erupt between the Spanish Football Federation and Barcelona over Lamine Yamal, after Sport suggested that the 18-year-old’s injury was not sufficiently accurate.
Barcelona confirmed that Yamal had sustained a groin injury. He missed the recent match against Sevilla and was also ruled out of Spain’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Georgia.
Barcelona said in an official statement that Yamal would need two to three weeks to return to action. Hansi Flick subsequently came out and sparked controversy, suggesting that the player’s absence could extend until the end of the month and that he might not be available for the El Clásico match on October 26.
However, Sport confirms that Yamal’s condition is not serious or worrisome, and that the player will be available for Barcelona’s next match after the international break, against Girona on October 18. This raises doubts about the accuracy of the previous information, which was presented only to prevent him from joining the Spanish national team camp.
If this happens, it could affect the relationship between Yamal and coach Luis de la Fuente and threaten to erode trust between the Spanish Football Federation and Barcelona. The relationship between the two parties has already deteriorated since the Catalan club accused them of not taking proper care of the player during the last international break.
Mundo Deportivo reported that de la Fuente was determined to include Yamal in the squad, telling him in a phone call before his injury was announced that he should represent his country as long as he was able to play for Barcelona. However, the new situation was later announced, and the young striker missed the Sevilla match.
