Lamine Yamal’s loyalty to Spain never in doubt despite surgery surprise

Lamine Yamal wants to play for Spain. He enjoys every moment, has fun on the pitch, and his goal is simple: to wear the red jersey of La Roja. Every time he’s called up, during training camps or before and after matches, the Barcelona forward’s answer is always the same. He never hesitates.

According to sources at AS, what sets Yamal apart, besides his skill and unique personality, is his unwavering commitment to Spain. Officials at the Spanish Football Federation told AS on Tuesday, “Lamine never backs out.” That phrase is often used when a player’s participation in a specific match is questioned, sometimes unnecessarily. In Yamal’s case, there is no doubt.

Yamal has support of Spanish federation after withdrawal

Spain have been forced to withdraw Yamal from their squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey after Barcelona revealed the teenager had undergone minor groin surgery. The Spanish soccer federation says it wasn’t informed of the procedure, which reportedly came as a surprise to team officials preparing for the two matches.

Spain’s national team prides itself on protecting its players, and Yamal has been no exception. From the start, and particularly during the last two call-ups, he has been fully supported according to the standard protocols applied to all players in similar situations. That explains Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s previous reaction to remarks from Barcelona counterpart Hansi Flick, which questioned the actions taken by the national team.

Communication breakdown between Spain and Barcelona

What has raised eyebrows this time is that just as communication seemed fully restored between Camp Nou and the national team’s headquarters, it faltered again, creating confusion. The federation’s priority is to ensure that the forward isn’t harmed and that his reputation doesn’t suffer amid all the speculation.

De la Fuente understands that clubs control the day-to-day of their players, but he also knows he is expected to get the best talent whenever possible, provided the players are willing. That has always been the case with Yamal.

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