Barcelona working to ensure key star is not called up to national team after recent injury return | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal was at the centre of a fiasco between Barcelona and the Spanish national team earlier this month, especially after Hansi Flick called out Luis de la Fuente for playing the youngster even though he was suffering discomfort.

Flick argued that de la Fuente wouldn’t have played Yamal if he truly wanted to take care of his players.

While the Spanish coach didn’t quite issue a proper response to Flick, it is apparent that there is tension brewing between the two entities.

Barcelona making efforts to avoid Yamal call-up

According to Diari ARA, Barcelona have kickstart their efforts to try and make sure Yamal doesn’t get called up for the upcoming international break.

The second international break of the season will take place during the second week of next month, with Spain slated to play on October 11 and October 14.

Barcelona are not too keen on letting Yamal play for Spain next month. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Barcelona believe that just because Yamal is now back on the pitch, it does not necessarily mean he is back to full fitness and doesn’t feel any discomfort anymore.

Therefore, as a measure of precaution, the Catalans will try to deter La Roja and De la Fuente from calling up the Spanish international.

Spain have already started the World Cup 2026 qualifiers with two back-to-back wins and doesn’t really require a full-strength team.

Besides, La Roja have enough players who can cover for Yamal while he sits out this international break at Barcelona and gets more time to fully recover from his injury.

Barcelona, after all, will be mindful of their October schedule, which is headlined by El Clasico. Any potential knock to Yamal or any other player could see them miss out on this important fixture.