Despite ongoing groin issues and potential surgery, Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente is set to call up Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is reportedly set to call up Barcelona’s teenage winger Lamine Yamal for the final World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Türkiye this month, despite ongoing injury concerns, according to Diario AS reporting, as cited by Football España.
Yamal, 18, has been struggling with a persistent groin issue, which he aggravated during the September international break and which subsequently ruled him out of the October fixtures.
The report confirms that the Barcelona player is “still not at 100%,” leading to discussions regarding potential surgery in the coming weeks.
Despite the back and groin discomfort, Yamal is expected to start for Barcelona in their La Liga clash against Celta Vigo this Sunday. Following that match, Diario AS states that it is “almost certain that the 18-year-old will be called upon by de la Fuente” to join the Spain squad.
The decision is likely to reignite tensions between the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and Barcelona, whose relationship has reportedly been strained lately over the management of player fitness.
The Catalan club may have concerns about risking one of their star assets in high-stakes matches while he is still recovering.
Yamal’s Barcelona teammate, defender Pau Cubarsi, is also expected to be named in the squad despite dealing with recent discomfort himself.
However, fellow winger Nico Williams (Athletic Club) is considered unlikely to make the list due to an aggravated groin injury, which kept him out of his club’s recent defeat to Newcastle.
The final squad announcement for La Roja is scheduled for Friday.