Lamine Yamal has been allowed to remain with Barcelona to recover from pain in his right knee instead of joining Spain’s training camp at Las Rozas, a decision that has triggered a debate over whether the forward is receiving special treatment.
The Barcelona player missed training on Monday and underwent medical tests at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. According to Spanish newspaper Sport, the examinations found no serious injury, but the medical teams at Barcelona and Spain agreed not to risk Yamal against Czechia on Thursday, 12 November 2026.
He is expected to join up with the national team later, ahead of Spain’s meeting with England on 15 November 2026.
Yamal felt discomfort in his right knee after helping Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid. Although he finished the match pleased with the victory, the symptoms led to further assessment and the decision to give him several days of recovery with his club.
The decision became a major talking point on the Spanish radio programme El Larguero.
Former Spain midfielder Jordi Marti defended the arrangement, saying that Barcelona’s close monitoring of Yamal since 2024 justified the decision. He argued that the club had complete medical records, as well as physiotherapists and doctors who understood the player’s condition in detail.
Spanish journalist Javier Herraez went further, saying the Spanish Football Federation had chosen to preserve a “good relationship” with Barcelona rather than create tension. He added that Yamal’s absence was “not a disaster”.
However, Spanish sports analyst Julio Pulido expressed considerable surprise. He said he had never previously seen a called-up player return to his club for treatment while the national team was in camp, asking: “What use are the national team doctors if not for this?”
Journalist Miguel Martin Talavera warned about the wider message created by the decision, saying: “The outstanding player can do whatever he wants.” Antonio Maiana agreed, describing the situation as “abnormal” and calling for it to be examined seriously.
Spain’s initial squad for the current camp is:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia and Alvaro Valles.
Defenders: Pedro Porro, Marc Pubill, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Dean Huijsen, Jacobo Ramon, Marc Cucurella and Alejandro Grimaldo.
Midfielders: Martin Zubimendi, Pablo Barrios, Fabian Ruiz, Pedri, Mikel Merino, Alex Baena, Fermin Lopez and Marc Roca.
Forwards: Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Roberto Fernandez, Lamine Yamal and Ander Barrenetxea.
The decision has left Spain balancing medical caution and its relationship with Barcelona against concerns that a player’s status could take priority over the discipline expected within the national team. Yamal’s return for the England match may provide the clearest indication of how the issue develops.
