Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been forced to withdraw from Spain’s international squad due to a hamstring injury, prompting concerns about the young star’s workload.
However, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has vehemently defended his usage of the 17-year-old.
Yamal, who has been a standout performer for both Barcelona and Spain, reported discomfort after playing in Spain’s 1-0 victory over Denmark on Saturday. The decision to send him back to Barcelona for further treatment was made as a precaution.
Despite Yamal’s rapid rise to prominence, there have been growing concerns that he is being overplayed at such a young age.
His impressive performances at Euro 2024 and his consistent minutes for Barcelona have led to questions about the potential risks of burnout.
De La Fuente, however, has dismissed these concerns. Speaking ahead of Spain’s Nations League match against Serbia, the manager stated that Yamal’s injury was simply a result of playing a demanding match and that there was no indication of excessive workload.
“Lamine had some discomfort at the end of the match,” De La Fuente said. “I spoke to him, and he told me that he thought he wouldn’t be 100% fit on Tuesday. When in doubt, we always bet on the health of the athlete.”
The manager also emphasized the importance of prioritizing player health and well-being, stating that Yamal’s decision to return to Barcelona was based on his own assessment of his fitness.
