Barcelona President disputes Spain claims over Lamine Yamal injury withdrawal | OneFootball

Barcelona President Joan Laporta has disputed claims made by the Spanish national team and manager Luis de la Fuente on the withdrawal from international duty of Lamine Yamal through injury. Both sides have offered a version of events that does not synchronise.

De la Fuente assured in three different interviews on Tuesday night that he and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) were not informed of a treatment administered to Lamine Yamal on Monday morning that would rule him out of their games with Georgia and Turkiye. The RFEF had publicly expressed their surprise and dismay at only being informed of the injury at 22:04 on Monday night, but Barcelona claim that La Roja were aware of the treatment.

Laporta disputes Spain claims on Lamine Yamal

Speaking in an interview with Catalunya Radio on Wednesday morning, Laporta claimed that Spain were informed on Monday.

“We informed them when we received the response from the doctor who examined him. Our doctors passed it on to the Federation’s doctors, and that’s how it went. We don’t want any controversy.”

Image via Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

“The specialist came on Monday, made the diagnosis, prescribed the treatment, and that’s how it went. Barca wants him in the best possible condition and we want him available; that’s how it’s happened, and it coincided with the national team’s match, but the national team is well on track [to qualify for the World Cup].”

‘We need to protect Lamine Yamal’ – Laporta

Meanwhile there was plenty of talk about Lamine Yamal’s heavy media presence in the aftermath of a Clasico defeat. Laporta said that he had no concerns over Lamine Yamal, but that it was important to protect him.

“I’m not worried at all. He’s a player who needs to be protected and supported, but he’s much more mature than any other kid his age. He’s currently dealing with sports hernia, and it’s very commendable that he’s still playing. That shows his commitment. As a footballer, he’s a genius, and we have to protect him and help him improve every day because he hasn’t yet reached his peak. He’s the best in the world in his position.”

His statements follow on from agent Jorge Mendes sending a similar message, declaring that he did not understand the noise surrounding Lamine Yamal. This does contradict reporting from local media, who have claimed in recent weeks that Barcelona were concerned with his increasingly public persona, and alongside Mendes were keen to limit his appearances.