FC Barcelona have issued an official statement confirming that Lamine Yamal will miss Sunday’s clash against Valencia due to a groin problem. The club added that the teenager will also be absent from training sessions until he fully recovers from the injury.
Yamal’s absence comes shortly after returning from international duty with Spain, where he was fielded despite experiencing discomfort. His condition reportedly worsened as he played significant minutes in both fixtures without being able to train in between.
In his pre-match press conference, Barça head coach Hansi Flick voiced strong criticism of Spain’s handling of the youngster. He said:
“Yamal played for Spain even though he was in pain and unable to train. They gave him painkillers so he could play. In both games they were at least three goals ahead, yet he played 73 and 79 minutes. Between those matches he couldn’t train. This is not player care, and I am very upset about it.”
Flick’s comments underline Barcelona’s growing concerns about how Spain’s national team manages the workload of its rising stars, with the club now prioritizing Yamal’s recovery to prevent any further setbacks.
