Former Spanish national team coach Javier Clemente, at 75 years old, remains very attentive to current Spanish football events. Retired from the sidelines since 2022, the Vizcaya native surprised by discussing Lamine Yamal and what his career with FC Barcelona and 'La Roja' could be.
True to his custom, Clemente did not hesitate to make a controversial prediction about the future of the player from Mataró. In an interview for the program 'Què T'hi Jugues' on the 'SER' network, he assured that **Lamine must be much more professional off the field** if he intends to have a career commensurate with his talent and potential.
"As a player he is very good, but the problem is that, if he doesn't behave correctly as an athlete in his personal life, he won't last long. That's clear. They won't allow it," began the former coach of Spain and Athletic Club, among many other clubs and national teams.
Javier Clemente believes Lamine Yamal must change to succeed at the elite level
In this regard, the Bilbao-born coach, who managed the national team in **the 1994 and 1998 World Cups**, criticized the controversies surrounding the private life of the Blaugrana's '10', as well as the management of the pubalgia that has affected him in the last two months.
For Clemente, situations like his most recent withdrawal from Spain "do not benefit" Yamal in any way, who, moreover, opponents are gradually finding ways to neutralize on the field
"He does brilliant things, but opponents already know how he plays, they know how to read him. They know he's one of those players you can't let play because he has so much quality that he can do many things," said the experienced Basque coach.He added: "He will have very special marking and surveillance. If he doesn't change, he won't be as flashy as what we've seen so far," pointed out Clemente, who has a modest track record in his almost five decades on the sidelines (he won four titles with Athletic between 1983 and 1984).
Lamine, for his part, has just won two Kopa Trophies and was runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d'Or before turning 18, in addition to winning a domestic treble with Barça and the European Championship with Spain, being a key player and undisputed starter. His meteoric rise to stardom, logically, must deserve some criticism, however far-fetched it may seem.
Javier Clemente's advice to Barça and the National Team regarding the 'Lamine case'
Regarding the tensions between Barça and the National Team over Lamine Yamal's physical condition and his recent call-ups with 'La Roja,' Javier Clemente called to "avoid cockfights" and manage everything related to the Mataró player's injury with greater prudence.
"It has to be handled differently. **Neither Barça nor the Federation should confront each other, nor the Federation Barça**. Nor the coach (Luis de la Fuente). That has to be dealt with internally," explained the Basque.
Lamine was withdrawn from the Spanish squad in October and November due to his pubic discomfort. The winger's injury worsened, precisely, after the September FIFA date, where the forward started in both matches despite complaining of muscle discomfort