The Spanish Federation responds to Flick's criticism

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick's comments regarding Lamine Yamal's injury and the actions of the Spanish national team sparked widespread controversy. The Spanish Football Federation expressed its surprise and dismay at the criticism directed at him and his coach, Luis de la Fuente. Barcelona explained that Yamal is suffering from pain in the groin area and is currently unable to participate in training and matches, which will result in his absence from the La Liga match against Valencia. Flick indicated that the player felt discomfort while with the Spanish national team and participated in two European qualifiers despite not feeling fully prepared. He expressed his regret for the lack of sufficient attention paid to the health of his players by the national team's technical staff. Flick also added that communication with the national team coach was not at the required level, stressing that Yamal was always ready to play but did not participate optimally due to playing time management. Barcelona's physiotherapist, Fernando Galán, is closely monitoring Yamal during the camp, reflecting the club's concern for the player's well-being. For its part, the Spanish Football Federation emphasized its commitment to the protocols in place to protect players, considering Flick's statements unexpected given his previous experience coaching the German national team and his understanding of the nature of cooperation between clubs and national teams.