The Spanish Football Association (RFEF) has expressed its “surprise and dismay” at seeing Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal undergo an “invasive procedure” that has led to his withdrawal from the latest La Roja squad. Yamal, who suffered an injury while on international duty in September, had been drafted back into Luis de la Fuente’s ranks for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey.
Rafael Louzan, the head of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), addressed Lamine Yamal's recent call-up to the national team amid the Barcelona superstar's fitness concerns. The RFEF chief swiftly dismissed any rumours of a rift between Spain boss Luis de la Fuente and Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick, asserting that "there was no tension."
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal was targeted with 60 per cent of all racist attacks online in Spain, according to a staggering new study of the 2024-25 season. The Blaugrana forward reportedly received twice as much online abuse as Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, in a new publication which highlights the awful extent of the vitriol directed at La Liga's top players.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has backed Lamine Yamal to find his best form despite an ongoing groin problem. The German also looked to diffuse any further disagreement between La Blaugrana and the Spanish national setup, sharing his belief that Luis de la Fuente's coaching staff will "take care" of the 18-year-old superstar when he hooks up with La Roja for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.
Midfielder Marc Bernal is reportedly weighing up whether to seek a move away from Barcelona in January as he looks to earn more playing time this season. The 18-year-old has made just four appearances for the Spanish giants following his return from the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury which saw him miss the majority of the 2024-25 campaign.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has defended his decision to call up Barcelona star Lamine Yamal for crucial World Cup qualifiers, stating he is in "perfect shape". The selection comes despite recent friction with Barcelona over the 18-year-old's pubalgia injury that has created tension between the Spanish national team and the Catalan club.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has played down concerns about a potential rift between Lamine Yamal and Dani Carvajal after their heated exchange following El Clasico. The Roja boss insists there is “no strange behaviour” in the squad and confirmed he has spoken to the Barcelona and Real Madrid players, stressing unity ahead of Spain’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Lamine Yamal has risked the wrath of Real Madrid supporters once again after the Barcelona forward sent out a defiant message ahead of the first Clasico of the season. Having already received scorn from the Blaugrana’s bitter rivals, the 18-year-old decided to prod them for a second time before Sunday’s mouth-watering fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has again hit back at Barcelona boss Hansi Flick after the German accused the national team of mismanaging Lamine Yamal’s fitness. The teenager’s groin injury has sparked a public row between club and country, with De la Fuente insisting “everyone is condemned by their actions” as tensions escalate ahead of El Clasico.
Harry Kane has, during an exclusive chat with GOAL, named the four retired strikers that would see their faces carved into his sporting Mount Rushmore. Only those who have hung up their boots were in contention for selection, meaning that all-time greats such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are overlooked for now. Some iconic figures did, however, make the cut.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente gave a huge billing to Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino as the La Roja boss claimed that the Gunners star is as good as Rodri and Pedri. On Tuesday, Merino scored twice as Spain thrashed Bulgaria 4-0 in a World Cup qualifying game at home. The win also helped the reigning European champions maintain their 100 per cent record in the qualifying rounds.
The Spain national team equalled their record of 29 unbeaten games in competitive matches following a dominant 4-0 victory over Bulgaria yesterday. Luis de la Fuente’s side matched the milestone previously set by Vicente del Bosque’s World Cup-winning Spain team, with Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scoring twice to seal the win. Spain achieved the result despite the absence of key players such as Lamine Yamal and captain Alvaro Morata.
Mikel Merino was Spain's difference-maker as the Arsenal star scored two headed goals to fire La Roja to an emphatic 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Bulgaria at the Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla. Debutant Atanas Chernev put through his own net to all but secure the result, before Mikel Oyarzabal struck home a stoppage-time penalty to round off the scoring. The result edges Spain closer to history, marking their 29th competitive game unbeaten - equalling the record of their world champion generation.
Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera is considering switching international allegiance from Spain after being promised a spot elsewhere at the 2026 World Cup in North America. Mosquera, born in the city of Alicante, has represented the Spanish national team at various youth levels, but he has yet to break into the senior squad. With the World Cup fast approaching, the 21-year-old is considering representing another nation.
The harrowing details of an attack on Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal's father have been released, as witness accounts detail the moment that Mounir Nasraoui was stabbed multiple times during an altercation after he was confronted in a car park. The perpetrators have claimed that they were acting in self defence and so Nasraoui was taken in for questioning, where he told his side of the story to go alongside witness statements of the event.
Luis de la Fuente has hit back at Barcelona’s criticism over Spain’s handling of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres after all three players suffered setbacks on international duty. The Spain boss insisted his staff always prioritise players’ health and urged critics not to “make a big deal” out of routine injuries.
Ferran Torres has left the Spain squad due to a muscle complaint, ruling him out of the Bulgaria qualifier and severely deepening Barcelona's injury crisis ahead of the season's first El Clasico. The forward's setback, which follows an injury to Dani Olmo, leaves coach Hansi Flick with a major attacking headache before facing Real Madrid on October 26.
Barcelona's injury war with the Spanish national team continued as La Roja manager Luis de la Fuente made a contradictory claim about Dani Olmo's injury. The Barcelona attacking midfielder was left out of the Spain squad for their 2-0 win over Georgia on Saturday and the 27-year-old has now been released from the national team as he won't regain full fitness ahead of their upcoming clash on Tuesday.
Lamine Yamal has taken the opportunity to spend quality time with girlfriend Nicki Nicole during an injury-enforced break from domestic and international football. The Barcelona wonderkid is nursing a groin complaint that has him stuck on the sidelines. He is, however, fit enough to have jetted off for a break with rap star partner Nicole. They have been sharing kisses, cuddles and a private helicopter ride.
Spain maintained their 100% 2026 World Cup qualifying record as they eased to a 2-0 win over Georgia on Saturday night. Goals from Yeremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal either side of half time was enough to La Roja to make it three wins from three as they maintain their unstoppable march towards the World Cup. Spain dominated from the outset and many had expected the Euro 2024 winners to put up a big score.
Ansu Fati’s explosive start to life at Monaco has reignited hopes of a Spain comeback. The Barcelona loanee has rediscovered his scoring touch in Ligue 1, netting six goals in five games. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has now confirmed that the 22-year-old forward is “on their radar” ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Spain and Como midfielder Jesus Rodriguez praised Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal as “the best player in the world” after joining the national team setup. Speaking about his development under Cesc Fabregas and adapting between Serie A and La Liga, the 19-year-old said Yamal’s talent in training surprised him and called him a “role model” for young players.
Gary Lineker never thought we'd see another player like Lionel Messi - until Lamine Yamal came along. "Just watching him, he makes it look so easy to beat a player. He goes past them almost as if they're invisible, like they're not there," the ex-England international enthused on the 'Stick to Football' podcast the morning after Barcelona's thrilling 3-3 draw with Inter on April 30.
Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen has pulled out of the Spain squad for the October World Cup qualifiers after he suffered a muscular injury. Huijsen, who joined Los Blancos from Bournemouth this summer, has appeared in all of Madrid's matches, except for the Espanyol clash, where he was suspended. He also played the full match against Villarreal last weekend.
Spain
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
