Spain’s de la Fuente rejects claims of favour for Lamine Yamal

Spain have already qualified for the Nations League quarter‑finals after leading their group with twelve points from four matches. MADRID — Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has rejected suggestions that Lamine Yamal received any special privileges after joining the training camp later than his teammates.

The image, credited to Jose Breton/AP, shows Alejandro Grimaldo of Atletico Madrid and Lamine Yamal of Barcelona fighting for the ball during a Spanish La Liga match in Barcelona on Sunday, 8 November 2026.

Yamal’s injury and delayed arrival

Yamal missed Spain’s Nations League fixture against Czechia on Thursday because of a knee problem, but was expected to be available for the Sunday clash with England. Reportedly, De la Fuente said he was upset by media suggested Yamal was being treated differently from other players. He added that the Barcelona forward is suffering from inflammation in his right knee. “Our medical staff assessed him, and I decided that, to avoid the trip, it would be better for him to stay home for treatment with his club,” De la Fuente said on Wednesday, adding “Lamine doesn’t have any special privileges. We would have done this for any other player.”

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Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal was also expected to join the squad late while recovering from flu in San Sebastian. The Spanish federation reported on Monday that Yamal felt discomfort in his right knee after Barcelona’s 2‑1 victory at Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league on Sunday.

“What hurts me most is the lying, the lack of rigor, the absence of truthfulness and the fabrication,” De la Fuente said on Wednesday, adding “That is why I've shared more than I perhaps should have, but it is the only way for people to know the truth. I can't stand people who try to deceive you and lie.” He said Yamal’s recovery is being monitored and that he spoke with the forward on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.

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“The recovery is going well, and we believe he will be with us on Friday,” De la Fuente said. In the group, Croatia sit on three points while the Czech Republic have yet to score.