Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente publicly rejected claims that Lamine Yamal sought to avoid national team duty, labeling the speculation as “lamentable” during a press conference on Wednesday.
The manager emphasized that the decision for the Barcelona forward to remain in Spain was purely medical.
Lamine Yamal did not travel with the squad to Prague for the upcoming match against the Czech Republic.
De la Fuente explained that the 17-year-old winger experienced fluid buildup and inflammation in his knee following the recent match against Atlético Madrid. The national team staff determined it was safer for the player to undergo recovery in Barcelona rather than endure the travel to the Czech Republic.
“It is lamentable to speak from a position of ignorance,” the coach said during the Wednesday press conference. “Lamine had inflammation in his knee, he had fluid after the match against Atlético. It was I who decided he should stay at home.”
If his recovery progresses as expected, he is scheduled to join the team in Madrid on Friday and remains in contention for the match against England on Sunday.
“What hurts me most is the lie, the lack of rigor, the invention. And I rebel against that,” he said. “I cannot stand people who lie.”
The coach further clarified that Lamine Yamal holds no special status within the squad, noting that the rest of the players are aware of the medical reality of the situation. He concluded his remarks by comparing the spread of such rumors to the work of “sophists,” whom he described as individuals who generate false arguments.
Beyond the situation with Lamine Yamal, the team is preparing for their upcoming fixture against the Czech Republic this Thursday. The manager indicated that the lineup will change for the match.
Mikel Oyarzabal is also expected to return to the squad, pending the status of his imminent paternity. The team’s next confirmed checkpoint is the match against England, scheduled for Sunday.
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