Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has confirmed that the club has requested the release of young talent Lamine Yamal from the Spain national team due to injury concerns.
Hansi Flick Provides Lamine Yamal Injury Update and Confirms Spain Request
The 17-year-old sensation was absent from Barcelona’s squad in their surprising 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad on Sunday, attributed to a severe contusion suffered during the midweek Champions League victory over Red Star Belgrade.
Yamal played the full 90 minutes in the 5-2 win, but Barcelona’s medical team revealed he had sustained a severe contusion.
“He has undergone treatment but the discomfort isn’t gone yet completely. His recovery will determine his availability,” read a club statement on Sunday.
Flick admitted post-match that he is unsure if Yamal will be fit to return after the international break.
“We will miss now Lamine Yamal… I don’t know if he will return after the international break. We’ve asked for him not to travel to the national team,” Flick told the media.
This decision aims to ensure Yamal’s full recovery and readiness for the demanding fixtures ahead.
Despite his absence, Yamal’s impact this season has been profound, with six goals and eight assists from 16 games. Fermin Lopez tried to fill in on the right-hand side during the Real Sociedad match, but the team felt Yamal’s absence.
Barcelona remains hopeful that Spain will honor their request, with Yamal initially called up for UEFA Nations League matches against Denmark on November 15 and Switzerland on November 18.
Keeping him out of these games would allow him to recuperate fully, ahead of Barcelona’s fixtures post-international break, including an away game at Celta Vigo on November 23 and a Champions League clash with Brest on November 26.
Additionally, Barcelona is dealing with other significant injury issues. First-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and promising midfielder Marc Bernal are sidelined for the season due to knee injuries.
Andreas Christensen’s Achilles problem, Ronald Araujo’s thigh injury, Ferran Torres’ hamstring strain, and Eric Garcia’s groin issue further compound their troubles. Despite these setbacks, Barcelona still sits six points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.
As Barcelona navigates these challenges, Flick’s priority remains the health and readiness of his squad, with a particular focus on the well-being of emerging star Lamine Yamal.
