In a surprising turn of events, Spanish football sensation Lamine Yamal has been officially released from the national team squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The decision comes after the 18-year-old Barcelona winger underwent a medical procedure for a persistent groin injury without the prior knowledge of the national team's medical staff.
Federation's Surprise and Decision
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced the news on Tuesday, expressing clear dissatisfaction with the situation. The federation revealed that Yamal had a radiofrequency operation on Monday, just as the Spanish training camp was beginning. This procedure was conducted without any prior notification to the national team's doctors.
The RFEF stated in an official release, "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." Citing the need to prioritize the player's health and safety, the federation consequently made the decision to release him from the squad.
Manager's Reaction and Player's Form
Spain's manager, Luis de la Fuente, did not hide his astonishment, describing the entire episode as highly unusual. In an interview with Radio Nacional de Espana (RNE), De la Fuente said, "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... so you’re surprised."
This injury has already caused Yamal to miss five matches for his LaLiga club, Barcelona. Despite this setback, his form this season has been exceptional. The young star, who has been capped 23 times for Spain, has netted an impressive six goals and contributed six assists in just 11 matches for Barcelona in the current campaign.
What's Next for Spain?
Despite the absence of their young prodigy, Spain remains in a formidable position in their qualifying group. The team currently tops Group E with 12 points from four matches, having scored 15 goals without conceding any.
Their upcoming fixtures are crucial. Spain is scheduled to face Georgia on Saturday in Tbilisi, followed by a home match against Turkey on Tuesday in Seville. The team has a clear path to qualification: Spain will secure their spot in the World Cup finals if they defeat Georgia and Turkey fails to beat Bulgaria, or if they draw and Turkey loses.
