Lamine Yamal Again Absent In The Champions League And Flick Vs Spanish National Team Feud

Barcelona Lamine Yamal still defends Spain despite injury. (X/@SEFutbol)

JAKARTA - Barcelona's young star Lamine Yamal is again absent against Newcastle United in the Champions League. Barca coach Hansi Flick criticized the Spanish national team for not being able to handle his players. However, Flick's criticism was met by former national team goalkeeper Santiago Canizares who called Yamal a player who did not understand anything.

Flick was forced to cross out Yamal because he had not recovered from a groin injury. The injury was experienced when he underwent a training camp for the Spanish national team which faced two qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup against Bulgaria and Turkey.

Despite the pain, he got an injection of pain so he could still play. As a result, Yamal made three assists in the two matches that La Roja won. However, the 18-year-old then underwent recovery and had to miss Barca when they beat Valencia 6-0 in the La Liga match Spain.

Yamal was also absent from training so Flick then dropped him when Barca played away in the Champions League. They face Newcastle United at St James' Park Stadium, Friday, September 19, 2025 in the morning WIB.

Apart from Yamal, Flick did not include midfielder Gavi and right-back Alejandro Balde for not recovering from injury. But midfielder Frenkie de Jong was able to appear in the first match of the Champions League.

Even though there are no Yamals, Barca's front line remains solid. Flick can choose three of the four players, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford.

It's just that Flick is still angry with the Yamal problem that made him miss the crucial match. Flick also blamed the national team for not being able to handle the players who ended up getting injured. The reason is, the player is still played even though he is injured.

Lamine can't perform [in the match against Newcastle]. This is very unfortunate. While in the national team, he still appeared despite the pain. Even though there was a problem, he continued to play for 79 and 73 minutes. In fact, he didn't even train during the two matches," Flick said.

"Is this a form of concern for players? I don't think so. Spain is clearly the best team in the world by having the best players in every position. They are very good. But the team should also take care of and pay attention to our players. It's just that they say they have done it. This is what makes me disappointed, "said the former German national team coach

Flick said it seemed that his communication with the coach of the Spanish national team Luis de la Fuente was not smooth, so miscommunications often occurred.

"I was in the same position as a national team coach. So I know how hard the job is," said Flick.

"It's just that I've never spoken to De la Fuente. I only communicated once, even through text [short message]. The problem is that I'm not good in Spanish. Meanwhile, he's also not good in English. Perhaps this is the problem. I think this is just a communication problem. This is important because we don't only have one player in the national team. There are many of our players there, "he said.

Canizares Kecam Yamal

Canizares immediately responded to Flick's anger about the national team, the former Spanish goalkeeper from 1993 to 2006. According to him, it is impossible for the national team to not pay attention to and care for players. Instead, he criticized Yamal's attitude, who was still involved in making product advertisements that had endorsed him when he had to focus on the national team.

Just talk about injury. The problem is, you're in the national team for nine days. You play and then be in the hotel all day and then travel for two games. So in your mind, once you come [to the hotel] you're sure you just want to rest, "said Canizares.

One thing is an important lesson. That it's not all about money and making ads," he replied.

"My coach at Merida doesn't like players being seen at the reception on match day. He's going to be angry with the player. He always says, 'I don't want to see any players standing at the hotel reception. I want you to rest'. Yes, he always reminds us to rest. It's better for you to rest because you will be competing soon," said Canizares, who skyrocketed with Valencia.

According to him, players must know and divide the time to rest and when to do activities. Because players undergo matches with a very tight schedule when they are in the national team.

"But what happened to this child [Yamal] when he arrived from the trip he then made ads. This child still has to learn a lot. He is still 18 years old and doesn't know anything yet," he said.

Yamal himself has just released new shoes from collaboration with the giant brand that tied his contract. For that, Yamal also had to undergo a photo shoot.