Mansion Sports – The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has expressed its “surprise and disappointment” after learning that Barcelona’s young star, Lamine Yamal, recently underwent an “invasive procedure” that forced him to withdraw from the latest La Roja squad. 

The 18-year-old had been recalled by head coach Luis de la Fuente for Spain’s upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey, following his recovery from an injury sustained on international duty in September.

Reason Behind Lamine Yamal’s Withdrawal from the National Team

Yamal will not take part in Spain’s upcoming fixtures. In an official statement released on its website, the RFEF detailed the situation:

“The RFEF Medical Services wish to express their surprise and discomfort after learning at 13:47 on Monday, November 10 — the first day of the national team’s official training camp — that player Lamine Yamal had undergone an invasive procedure involving radiofrequency treatment to address discomfort in the pubic area earlier that morning.

“This procedure was carried out without prior communication with the national team’s medical staff. The full report was only received at 22:40 the previous night, indicating a medical recommendation for the player to rest for 7 to 10 days.

“In light of this, and prioritizing the player’s health, safety, and well-being, the Spanish Football Federation has decided to release Yamal from the current call-up. We are confident that he will recover well and wish him a full and speedy recovery.”

Understanding Yamal’s Pubalgia Injury

Yamal has been diagnosed with pubalgia — a chronic groin injury caused by tears in the soft tissue surrounding the area. 

The condition requires careful management to prevent recurrence and ensure long-term performance stability.

Barcelona has taken a cautious approach in handling the situation. After securing Yamal’s long-term future with a high-value contract, the Catalan club wants to ensure that every medical decision aligns with the player’s best interests. 

For now, Barcelona’s medical team has deemed additional treatment more appropriate than international participation.

Barcelona’s Frustration Over Spain’s Handling of Yamal

Barcelona previously voiced strong discontent with Spain’s handling of Yamal’s fitness during the first international break of the 2025–26 season. 

The forward returned to the club carrying an injury, prompting manager Hansi Flick to openly criticize the national team’s approach.

“He left for international duty already unfit and did not train,” Flick said at the time. “They gave him painkillers just so he could play. In every game they were leading by at least three goals, yet he still played for 73 and 79 minutes. Between matches, he couldn’t even train. That’s not the right way to protect a player. I was very disappointed about that.”

Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente and the RFEF later responded to Barcelona’s complaints by stressing that communication channels remained open, but Flick stood by his comments.

“I want to protect my player and support him — that’s how it is,” he said. “A lot has happened. From my side, the issue is over. I have no bad intentions. I understand the other perspective — it’s not easy for me or for Luis [de la Fuente]. But I have to defend my player, which is why I spoke more firmly than usual. I don’t regret it. What matters now is that we manage this together — the players, the club, and the Federation. We must handle it collectively.”

Yamal’s Prospects for the 2026 World Cup

The RFEF had believed the matter was behind them when De la Fuente included Yamal in his latest squad. “I believe he is in perfect condition,” De la Fuente stated at the time. 

“His coach confirmed he was ready to play. He’s back to being the player we all know, and we’re delighted about that. He will stay with us as long as we deem it appropriate.

“From what we’ve seen in recent matches, Lamine looks fit. We have two very important World Cup qualifiers ahead, and we need our best players available. These matches are crucial, and we want to have our strongest squad.”

Yamal had recently completed 90 minutes in three of Barcelona’s last four matches, scoring in each of them, before being ruled out again. As a result, his tally of 23 senior caps for Spain will remain unchanged for now.

Spain is set to face Georgia on Saturday, where a win could secure their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. 

Despite ongoing tensions between Barcelona and the RFEF, one of the world’s brightest young football talents is still expected to play a key role in Spain’s campaign at next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.