Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is a major doubt for Thursday’s Champions League trip to Newcastle United after picking up a groin injury on international duty, with head coach Hansi Flick openly criticising Spain’s handling of the 18-year-old prodigy.
Yamal featured in both of Spain’s recent Euro 2026 qualifiers, playing 79 minutes in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria and 73 minutes in a 6-0 thrashing of Turkey, despite carrying discomfort.
The teenager has since been ruled out of Sunday’s La Liga game against Valencia and did not participate in first-team training on Saturday.
“Lamine will not be available [against Valencia] – it’s a pity,” Flick told reporters. “He played with the national team despite pain. He had problems, played 79 and 73 minutes, and didn’t even train between matches because of this pain. That is not really taking care of the players, is it? It is not.
“Spain, they have the best team in the world, best players in the world. In every position they are unbelievably good. So maybe they will also want to take care of our players, our young players. But it’s like they are doing this [to them]. This is what I can say, and I’m really sad about this.”
A Barcelona press officer later confirmed Yamal has “discomfort in his pubic bone” and is considered “doubtful” for the midweek fixture at St James’ Park.
Flick Calls for Better Communication
Flick, who previously managed Germany, revealed he has had minimal direct contact with Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, admitting the language barrier has hindered dialogue.
“I was also on this side, as a national team coach. I know how hard sometimes the job is,” Flick said. “I never spoke [with him] – I have had one conversation via text but I never spoke with him. My Spanish is not good, his English is not good, so maybe this is a problem.
“But in the end I think the communication – because we have not only one player there, we have many players there – it could be better.”
Yamal’s potential absence is a blow for Barcelona, who are looking to strengthen their position in Group F after making a winning start to the competition.
Stadium Situation Still Unresolved
Sunday’s clash with Valencia will be staged at Barcelona’s Johan Cruyff Stadium, which holds just 6,000 fans, as redevelopment work continues at the Nou Camp.
The La Liga champions have played at Montjuïc’s Olympic Stadium for the past two seasons but have temporarily switched venues while awaiting final permits to reopen their permanent home.
Barcelona said they are “working intensively to obtain the necessary administrative permits for the opening [of the Nou Camp] in the coming weeks,” but no date has been confirmed for its return.
Flick insisted the venue change will not distract his side. “I spoke with the players, the captains, and they said it will not affect us,” he said. “When we play at the new Camp Nou, 105,000 [capacity], maybe it’s a little bit different to playing at the Johan.
As I said before it’s not an excuse, I will not use it – Valencia also has to play in this stadium.”