In a surprising turn of events, Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been released from Spain's national squad for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey. The decision came after the 18-year-old underwent an unexpected medical procedure without informing the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) in advance.
The Unexpected Medical Revelation
Spain's training camp began on Monday, November 10, but the RFEF received shocking news at 13:47 that same day. They learned that Lamine Yamal had undergone a radiofrequency procedure earlier that morning to address discomfort in his pubic area. The national team's medical staff had received no prior notification about the treatment.
Detailed information about the procedure only reached the RFEF medical team at 22:40 that night through an official report. The medical documentation recommended 7-10 days of rest for the young footballer, making his participation in the upcoming qualifiers impossible.
Timeline of Events and Reactions
The timing of the procedure raised significant questions, especially since Yamal had featured prominently for Barcelona just one day earlier. On November 9, the young star scored in Barcelona's 4-2 La Liga victory over Celta Vigo and was substituted during stoppage time.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente expressed his astonishment at the situation. "I had never experienced a situation like that. I don't think it's very normal. You don't know, you haven't heard anything, you don't know any details, and then they tell you about health issues. You're left surprised," the manager stated.
The RFEF released an official statement emphasizing their surprise and concern upon learning about the invasive procedure conducted without their knowledge on the very day the national team's official training camp began.
Consequences and Replacement
With player safety as the top priority, the RFEF made the difficult decision to release Yamal from the current squad. Jorge de Frutos from Rayo Vallecano has been called up as his replacement for the crucial matches.
Spain currently leads Group E by three points over Turkey with only two matches remaining. While Yamal's absence represents a significant blow to the team, Spain remains favored to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The young Barcelona prodigy is expected to return to action following the recommended rest period.
