Spain boss sends strong message to Barcelona about Lamine Yamal’s game time
Spain's head coach, Luis de la Fuente, has delivered a pointed message to Barcelona regarding the game time of their young sensation, Lamine Yamal, during the international break. Yamal, who recently played the full 90 minutes in Spain's match against Serbia, could be set to do the same again when Spain faces Switzerland.
When questioned about the physical demands placed on players during international duty, de la Fuente was unequivocal, stating that players should be capable of playing two full matches in September without issue. He said, “If you can’t play 180 minutes in September, we stop everything. We are doing what we have to do, representing our country. My duty is to protect all the players, and that’s what I do.”
De la Fuente's stance suggests that he sees no reason to limit Yamal's playing time, which might concern Barcelona supporters who are wary of their young star being overworked. The Spain boss acknowledged this potential concern but framed it in a positive light, emphasizing the privilege Barcelona has in nurturing a player of Yamal’s caliber. He remarked, “I tell them that it is lucky that they have a player of that level and that he plays so many games for the national team.”
This reassurance, however, is unlikely to fully assuage the fears of Barcelona fans. The club has already endured the loss of Gavi, who was ruled out for nearly a year after suffering an injury while on international duty. Additionally, other key players like Fermin Lopez and Pedri have recently sustained injuries while representing Spain, and Dani Olmo picked up a knock during the latest international fixtures.
Given the history of injuries to key players during international duty, the concern over Yamal's potential overuse is understandable. While de la Fuente's comments underline the importance of representing one's country and the resilience expected from top-level athletes, the ongoing tension between club and country over player fitness is likely to persist, especially when it involves a young talent like Lamine Yamal, whose career is still in its early stages.
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