Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has criticized the Spanish national team for what he described as poor player management after Lamine Yamal was ruled out of Sunday’s La Liga clash against Valencia with a groin problem.
The 18-year-old winger, who also faces a race against time to be fit for Thursday’s Champions League tie against Newcastle, returned from international duty carrying the injury. Yamal featured in both of Spain’s 2026 World Cup qualifying wins over Bulgaria and Turkey, despite being in discomfort.
“He will not be available — for me it’s a pity,” Flick told reporters on Saturday. “He went to the national team with pain, he did not train, he got painkillers for playing. In every match they were three goals ahead, and he still played 79 and 73 minutes. Between the matches he didn’t train. This is not taking care of players.”
The former Germany coach stressed that Spain’s squad depth should allow them to manage younger stars better.
“Spain have the best players in the world in every position. Maybe we also need to take care of young players. Doing this… I’m really sad about it,” Flick added.
The Barça boss revealed he had exchanged brief messages with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, but admitted communication between club and country could improve.
“Maybe it’s all about my Spanish not being good, and his English not good. Communication… there could be better,” he said.
Alongside Yamal, Frenkie de Jong has also been ruled out of the Valencia clash, though Marc Bernal returns to the squad for the first time in nine months following a knee injury.
Barcelona will host Valencia at the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium, as the Spotify Camp Nou renovation continues. Flick, however, played down the venue change.
“I spoke with the captains, and they said it will not affect us,” he said. “When we play at the new Camp Nou, 105,000 maybe it’s different, but it’s not an excuse. Valencia also has to play here.”
