Barcelona Vs Spanish National Team Heats Up, Yamal Absent Due To Unreported Injury To RFEF

JAKARTA - Barcelona striker Lamine Yamal will miss Spain's 2026 World Cup Qualifier against Georgia and Turkey as he still has to address the root problem he is experiencing.

The 18-year-old was called up by Spain last week, but underwent a minor procedure at Barcelona on Monday, November 10, 2025, local time, to try to address the issue without the knowledge of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

RFEF said they were surprised by Barcelona's decision not to inform them of the situation.

However, the federation finally accepted that Yamal needed a 7-10 day rest and allowed him to return to Barcelona.

"The RFEF medical service wants to express surprise and concern after learning at 13:47 on Monday, November 10, 2025, the day the official Spanish National Team (Timnas) training camp began, that Yamal had undergone invasive radiofrequency procedures to treat discomfort in his genitals in the same morning."

"This procedure was carried out without prior notification to the Spanish national team's medical staff, who only found out the details through reports received at 22:40 a.m. on Monday, which showed medical recommendations for a 7-10-day break."

"Given this situation, and prioritizing the health, safety and well-being of players at all times, the RFEF has taken the decision to release the player from the current squad," the RFEF statement read.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente also later expressed his surprise at how Barcelona handled the situation.

"There are procedures that occur outside the RFEF, that's what happens, that's how it is. We have to accept it."

"However, I have never experienced a situation like this before. I don't think it's too normal. Of course it surprised me, just like everyone else."

"You don't hear anything, you don't know any details. I emphasize, when it comes to health and fitness issues, you'll be surprised," Fuente told RNE.

This is the latest round in the club versus country saga which started in September 2025, when Yamal first returned from international duty with the matter.

At the time, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick accused Spain of failing to properly treat their players, sparking a slight dispute with La Roja coach who said he was not interested in the German coach's complaint.

Yamal missed four games for Barcelona but returned to play in the games against Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain at the end of September 2025.

Then, he missed out again in defeat against Sevilla in October 2025 and missed both Spain matches in the final international break.

He then started in Barcelona's last six games in all competitions, scored four goals and provided three assists, but Flick has repeatedly confirmed that he is still bothered by the root problem.

"We have to take care of him. For me, he has changed his discipline. He is far, much better now."

"He really trains well, also at the fitness center, the care he goes through every day. It's important for him to do something like this."

"I think he's also going back to his best, but it's not finished yet. So, this injury hasn't fully healed."

"We have to take care of him, not only us, but also the Spanish national team," Flick said of the Yamal recovery process.

Rayo Vallecano's striker, Jorge de Frutos, has been called up to replace Yamal as Spain tries to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Spain could secure their place in the finals with four points from their match against Georgia and Turkey, but could have also qualified with fewer points if Turkey did not beat Bulgaria.

Meanwhile, Yamal was supposed to return to play for a series of tough matches Barcelona faced after the international break, starting with Athletic Club at home and traveling to Chelsea in the Champions League.