Lamine Yamal (foto: Getty Images)
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente expressed shock after Barcelona carried out a radiofrequency treatment on Lamine Yamal without notifying the national team, forcing his unexpected withdrawal from World Cup qualifiers.
Luis de la Fuente has admitted he was “completely surprised” by Lamine Yamal’s sudden withdrawal from the Spain national team, after Barcelona carried out an invasive medical procedure on the 17-year-old without notifying the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation).
Yamal, who has been managing persistent pubic discomfort, underwent radiofrequency therapy on Monday morning to relieve pain — just hours before Spain’s squad gathered for World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey. The teenager will now rest for seven to ten days, ruling him out of both matches.
According to the RFEF, the federation’s medical team only learned about the treatment late that night, prompting confusion and frustration. In an official statement, they expressed “surprise and dismay” at not being informed earlier, emphasising that the decision to release Yamal was made purely for the player’s health and safety.
“The RFEF Medical Services wish to express their surprise and dismay upon learning at 1:47 p.m. on Monday, November 10, that player Lamine Yamal had undergone an invasive radiofrequency procedure that same morning,” the statement read. “This procedure was performed without prior notification to the national team’s medical staff, who were only informed at 10:40 p.m. The RFEF has decided to release the athlete from the call-up, prioritising his recovery and well-being.”
Spain coach De la Fuente echoed the federation’s reaction, admitting the situation was unprecedented. “There are procedures that take place outside the Federation’s control,” he told RNE Deportes. “That’s what happens, and we have to accept it. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It’s not very normal. It has surprised us all — especially since it involves a health matter.”
The incident has reignited tension between Barcelona and the Spanish FA, whose relationship has been strained since September when Barça boss Hansi Flick accused De la Fuente and the RFEF of “failing to take care” of young players after Yamal picked up a knock on international duty. De la Fuente had recently insisted that Yamal was “in perfect condition” and fully fit for Spain’s qualifiers.
RFEF president Rafael Louzan later tried to ease tensions, saying there were “minor disagreements” but no serious conflict. “Luis de la Fuente has a very good relationship with everyone,” Louzan said. “Hansi Flick wants his players in perfect condition, and we understand that. These are small disagreements, not tensions.”
According to Spanish journalist Fernando Polo, Barcelona are testing several treatment methods to manage Yamal’s pubalgia — a chronic groin condition common among young players. The radiofrequency therapy performed this week reportedly angered the RFEF due to its timing but was deemed necessary by the club’s medical staff.
The procedure involves applying controlled electrical currents through fine needles to block pain signals from nerves, often used to reduce chronic inflammation and discomfort without surgery. Yamal is expected to recover fully in time for Barcelona’s La Liga clash with Athletic Club on November 22.
For now, the situation highlights once again the delicate balance between club and country responsibilities — especially when managing one of football’s brightest young stars.