FC Barcelona has settled the controversy with the Spanish national team and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) regarding the physical condition of Lamine Yamal. The Mataró-born player, for the second consecutive FIFA date, was withdrawn by Luis de la Fuente once Barça notified his absence due to the treatment for the osteitis pubis that has affected the player since early September.
In an interview for the program 'El Matí', on 'Catalunya Ràdio', president Joan Laporta explained that the club fulfilled its duty to notify the National Team about the radiofrequency treatment that Lamine underwent last Monday
"We will let you know when we have the doctor's response after he examined him. Our doctors transferred it to the Federation's doctors. We don't want controversy. The specialist came on Monday, made the diagnosis, the treatment, and that's how it's been going," Laporta began.
In that regard, he added: "Barça wants Lamine to be in the best possible condition and we want him available. This is how it happened and it coincided with the national team's match, but the national team already has its qualification for the World Cup well underway."
Barça seeks to de-escalate tensions with RFEF over 'Lamine case'
The RFEF, however, did not take kindly to Barça waiting until Monday night to explain the details of the procedure, which requires the forward to rest for 7 to 10 days. Although it is an outpatient treatment, it prevents physical activity in the following days.
Lamine, however, would be available for the Barça-Athletic match on November 22. In October, the winger was also unable to play with 'La Roja', once his absence for the Sevilla-Barça match prior to the second international break of the season was confirmed.
Luis de la Fuente also did not take kindly to that injury, as it was communicated just after the manager announced the squad for the matches against Georgia and Bulgaria. This month, the Rocafonda native will also not play against Georgia and Turkey in the closing matches of the World Cup qualifiers.
Yamal had played as a starter against PSG in the Champions League and the second half against Real Sociedad, but he had missed the matches against Valencia, Newcastle, Getafe, and Oviedo right after the first international break of the 25/26 season. That's where the controversy between Barça and the National Team began, as the forward played against Turkey having taken painkillers for the pain.
For this reason, Hansi Flick criticized De la Fuente's management of minutes. After a war of words between the coaches, Lamine has finally not played any more with the National Team, while he works to overcome his osteitis pubis.
Now, the club seeks to de-escalate tensions with the National Team and the RFEF, understanding that the priority is to protect the health of the 18-year-old player, as well as the other internationals (Barça is the club that contributes the most players to La Roja).
Caring for Lamine Yamal, priority number 1 for Barça
Lamine Yamal rested during the October international break and reappeared in the Barça-Girona match. After that, he also started in the next five matches for the Catalan team, always playing a minimum of 75 minutes.
The '10', however, has undergone specific training in recent weeks to alleviate the pain in his pubic region. Regarding this, Joan Laporta acknowledged the player's effort to try and perform at his best despite his injury."Lamine now has a problem with osteitis pubis and it's very commendable that he continues to play. That shows his commitment. As a footballer, he is a genius, and we have to protect him and help him improve day by day because he hasn't reached his peak excellence yet. He is the best in the world in his position," stated the Barça president.
For now, the winger has scored 6 goals and provided 6 assists in 11 games (889 minutes) with Flick's team. In 2026, both Barça and the National Team are confident of having his best version to go for the Champions League and the World Cup, respectively.