Lamine Yamal Ruled Out Of Spain’s World Cup Qualifiers After Injury Setback

Barcelona have confirmed that teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will miss Spain’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury.

Lamine Yamal, 18, who only just returned to action in Barcelona’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks. His absence raises doubts about his availability for the highly anticipated Clásico against Real Madrid on October 26.

Yamal’s situation has reignited debate between Barcelona coach Hansi Flick and Spain boss Luis de la Fuente. Flick previously suggested that the forward’s initial problem was aggravated by featuring in Spain’s September qualifiers. But De la Fuente on Friday moved to downplay any tension.

“There is no conflict with Flick. I was simply surprised by those statements because he has been a national team coach, and I thought he had that empathy,” De la Fuente said after unveiling his squad for the October fixtures.

“We are playing for the World Cup, that is what really matters. The rest is not important. Everyone said what they said, and that’s it.”

The Spain coach also defended the handling of Yamal’s fitness.

“What happened was that, when the match ended, he had some kind of discomfort. But I have never played without discomfort. Nothing happened,” he added.

Spain’s squad is further weakened with injuries to Nico Williams and Dani Carvajal, while striker Alvaro Morata has been omitted after a slow start to the season at Como.

Despite the setbacks, La Roja remain in control of Group E, sitting top with six points from two matches. They face Georgia in Elche on October 11 before hosting Bulgaria in Valladolid on October 14.

Source: Naijanews