‘Give each other a hug’ — Spain coach Luis de la Fuente plays down Lamine Yamal and Dani Carvajal Clasico tension | OneFootball

Luis de la Fuente has given his view on the Lamine Yamal and Dani Carvajal tension from earlier this season, and his message underlines exactly why the Spain national team comes above the FC Barcelona – Real Madrid rivalry.

As quoted by Mundo Deportivo, the Spain coach addressed the friction between the Barcelona winger and the Real Madrid defender while speaking in a DAZN interview, and he made it clear he sees the issue as part of the emotional weight that comes with a Clasico rather than something deeper. He said:

It is a very De la Fuente response, balanced, calm and focused on coexistence rather than conflict. He is basically saying what Barca fans already know in one sense: Clasicos are meant to be intense, emotional and occasionally messy.

That does not make the edge between Lamine and Carvajal meaningless. In fact, for Barcelona supporters, there is something satisfying in seeing Lamine already play with the confidence and fire that a Clasico demands. Those games are not for timid players, and he clearly is not one.

At the same time, De la Fuente is right to separate club rivalry from international duty. Spain need both players pulling in the same direction, and the national team coach is never going to encourage carrying domestic grudges into that space.

The duo have a good relationship in Spain colors on the pitch, with Lamine assisting the Real Madrid captain’s only goal in national team colours. They play on the same flank and they need to link up well for La Roja’s cause.

The Clasico has come and gone and the two players are professional enough to put Spain ahead of all that and that is exactly what De la Fuente will be hoping for too. Let’s wait and see how things play out.