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The Spanish football federation (RFEF) and FC Barcelona are on a collision course as Lamine Yamal was released from Spain’s squad on Tuesday after medical treatment. Spain are set to take on Georgia and Turkey in their World Cup qualifiers, but they will have to face these challenges without the mercurial Barcelona winger Yamal.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or runner-up, Yamal, who had missed five matches for Barcelona this season, underwent a radiofrequency operation on Monday as Spain’s training camp began. With the 18-year-old winger now needing 7-10 days of rest, Spain was forced to release Yamal.
Spain hits out at Barcelona after shock Yamal surgery
The Spanish football federation has claimed that the medical procedure was carried out without their prior knowledge and that details were shared late on Monday night.
“This procedure was performed without prior notification to the national team’s medical staff, who only learned of the details through a report received at 10:40 p.m. last night, which indicated a medical recommendation for rest for 7-10 days,” RFEF said in a statement.
“In view of this situation, and prioritising the player’s health, safety and well-being at all times, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has taken the decision to release the player from the current squad.”
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente admitted that as a national team, they have to accept the club’s decision, but the timing of the medical procedure was not normal.
“The thing is, these things happen outside the federation, that’s how it is, that’s how it happens, you have to accept it …,” De la Fuente told Radio Nacional de Espana (RNE). “I don’t think it’s very normal.
“Of course (surprised), like everyone else, you don’t know, you haven’t heard anything, you don’t know any details, and then they tell you, I insist, and on top of that, there’s the health issue, so you’re surprised.”
Yamal has been a revelation for Spain and Barcelona ever since turning professional. He has six goals and six assists in just 11 matches for Barcelona this season.
Meanwhile, Spain are on the top of Group E in the World Cup qualifiers with 12 points from four matches. Their first match in the November FIFA window is against Georgia. They would qualify for the World Cup if they beat Georgia and Turkey fail to beat Bulgaria or if they play out a draw against Georgia and Turkey lose to Bulgaria.
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