Spain manager Luis de la Fuente says Lamine Yamal is in “perfect condition” after calling up the Barcelona teenager to his latest international squad.
Yamal is currently suffering from pubalgia, and is having to learn how to manage the problem as Hansi Flick has admitted, meaning there was some doubt about whether he’d be called up.
De la Fuente says he’s fit and that he wanted the best players available for his team’s next two matches.
“The answer is obvious. I think he’s in perfect condition,” he told a press conference.
“His coach said he was fit to play football, he’s regaining his form, and we’re happy about that. He’ll be here as long as we deem necessary. We have a lot at stake, and we want to have our best players with us.
“I stand by what I said a year ago about Lamine. We need to support him in this development. Both from the club and here. Everyone who has a relationship with him. It’s everyone’s responsibility.”
The Spain boss was also quizzed again on Dani Carvajal’s decision to confront Yamal at the end of El Clasico and insisted the team are just one big happy family.
“We talk about many things here, and we’re very fortunate to manage these players,” he added.
“They’re very easy to get along with. I’ll always remember Lamine hugging Dani the day he scored against Croatia. And the day-to-day. That’s the reality. We’re like a big family here, and we don’t have any problems.”
Spain’s first qualifier is against Georgia. They can confirm their place at World Cup 2026 if they win and Turkey fail to take all three points against Bulgaria.
