Spanish Coach Dismisses Barcelona Criticism Of Lamine Yamal

JAKARTA - The head coach of the Spanish Nasional Team (Timnas), Luis de la Fuente, has played down a dispute with Barcelona over the handling of Lamine Yamal, but admits communication between the two can still be improved.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) released a statement on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, local time, revealing its surprise after learning the 18-year-old had undergone surgery procedures on the root problem without prior notice from the Blaugrana.

As a result, they were forced to remove the winger from their squad for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey.

"The relationship with all clubs is very good even though everything can be improved. We did very well and we will continue to grow."

"The best news is that he still has 15 years with us. We have to think about the present and the future."

"Right now it means relying on the players we have, winning, and practically securing qualification. That's our focus."

"Everything can be fixed and everyone will try to fix it, but what we need to improve is our performance tomorrow (Sunday, November 16, 2025, early morning WIB)."

"We are playing well and need to continue to improve," De la Fuente told a news conference in Tbilisi.

De la Fuente may want to improve, but his team is almost perfect in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, winning all four games without a single goal conceded.

If they avoid defeat against Georgia - who have lost three times to four games - they will set a new record with 30 unbeaten matches.

Spain has never lost a competitive match that hasn't ended on penalties since March 2024.

"Our goal is to qualify for the World Cup (2026) regardless of the statistics. We want to win tomorrow to secure the position."

"I have a strong bond with these players so I want them all to be legendary."

"Most importantly, I want them remembered by everyone, to be a team like a team from 2008 to 2012, the legendary."

"This team is heading there and these players have the opportunity to make history," he said.

Spain will ensure a place in the 2026 World Cup if they beat Georgia and Turkey not to beat Bulgaria, or if La Roja draws against Georgia and Turkey lose.

However, while De la Fuente praised his players, Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi, for remaining humble.

"Right now, I don't see myself playing at the World Cup. It feels crazy because we still have to qualify."

"Even though we did everything perfectly, we still depend on other results. Currently, I am only focused on our passing, nothing more," said the Arsenal player.