"I've never experienced a situation like this before" - Spain boss De la Fuente reacts after Barcelona star Lamine Yamal's withdrawal from squad

Spain national team head coach Luis de la Fuente expressed shock at the news that Barcelona star Lamine Yamal had been withdrawn from his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Fuente was perplexed that Yamal underwent surgery without the national team’s medical team being informed.

Yamal had been named among the 26-man squad on November 7 for Spain’s games against Georgia and Turkey. However, in a surprise turn of events, the teenager had to be released from the squad after undergoing a radiofrequency on his niggling groin issue. The procedure meant he had to rest for 7-10 days, a development that didn’t sit well with the Spanish Football Federation and Fuente.

“There are procedures that take place outside the Federation's control," Fuente told RNE. "That's what happens, we have to accept it. I've never experienced a situation like this before. I don't think it's very normal. It has surprised us all. You don't have any news, you don't know any details, and on top of that, it's a health issue, so you're left surprised.”

Yamal was in action for Spain in October internationals, playing significant minutes against Bulgaria and Turkey.

RFEF expresses ‘surprise and concern’ after Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal was released from the national team

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) expressed ‘surprise and concern’ after releasing Lamine Yamal from the squad for their upcoming fixtures. The country’s football governing body bemoaned the lack of communication and late notification about the young winger’s procedure to the national team’s medical staff.

It said in a statement:

"The medical services of the Royal Spanish Football Federation wish to express their surprise and concern upon learning, at 13:47 on Monday 10 November - the day the national team's official training camp began - that Lamine Yamal had undergone an invasive radiofrequency procedure earlier that same morning to treat discomfort in his pubic area. This procedure was carried out without prior communication to the national team's medical staff, who only became aware of the details through a report received at 22:40 last night, in which a medical recommendation of 7–10 days of rest was indicated.

"In light of this situation, and with the player's health, safety, and wellbeing as the top priority, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has decided to release the player from the current squad."

Lamine Yamal has been a key figure in the Spain national team since bursting onto the scene following his heroics in Euro 2024. To date, Yamal has made 23 appearances for the national team.