Lamine Yamal will not play in the match on Thursday 12 November between Spain and the Czech Republic in the UEFA Nations League group stage.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has officially confirmed that the winger, a three-time winner of the Young Talent of the Year award, will be sidelined due to a niggling injury he has been carrying since his last LaLiga match.

The forward suffered a knock to his right knee during FC Barcelona’s victory over Atlético Madrid (1–2).

After assessing his progress, the national team’s and the club’s medical staff agreed that the player should remain in the Catalan capital to focus on his recovery until Friday, when they will assess whether he is fit to join La Roja’s training camp.

Luis de la Fuente’s forceful statement

The decision to temporarily release the player sparked debate within the national team’s circle and fuelled speculation in the Spanish media about alleged special treatment for the player.

In response, manager Luis de la Fuente addressed the press in a visibly annoyed tone to clarify the medical situation and dispel any rumours.

“Speaking without knowing the facts is sad and regrettable. That is why I am here to shed some light on the matter. Lamine has inflammation in his knee,” the manager stated at the start of his address.

De la Fuente directly addressed the reports that had questioned the coaching staff’s handling of the situation and defended the transparency of his decision:

“I can’t stand people who try to deceive you and lie. What hurts me most is the lies, the lack of rigour, the lack of truthfulness and the fabrication” – Luis de la Fuente

The winner of the 2026 Coach of the Year award explained in detail what had happened with Lamine Yamal and why he had decided to leave him out of the squad for this match.

The truth behind Lamine Yamal’s absence

“Lamine was going through a process; he picked up an injury in the last match. He was experiencing discomfort in one knee. He underwent standard treatment and an MRI scan in Barcelona. They found he had inflammation and fluid in one knee. It was advisable to give him a rest,” said De La Fuente.

And in the same vein, he added: “I preferred him to stay at home training with the club and, if he’s fit by Friday, to rejoin the squad. Is that clear?”

“He doesn’t have any special privileges and his team-mates are fine with it. What’s more, we treat everyone equally, and that’s been the case on these two occasions too. We would have done the same with any other player, and the players know that,” concluded the manager.

Faced with the enforced absence of their key playmaker, the Spanish national team will have the opportunity to try out new options in attack.

How will De la Fuente’s team line up without their star player?