Barcelona urges Spain to handle star Lamine Yamal with care amid fitness concerns

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is urging Spain to handle winger Lamine Yamal with care during the final round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Yamal returns to the La Roja’s squad for the upcoming games this month, having missed the October international break due to injury setback.

The reigning European champions are gearing up for their games against Georgia and Turkey. Spain will travel to face Georgia on November 15 before hosting Turkey in Seville on November 18 respectively.

However, head coach Luis de la Fuente has summoned 26 players for the two upcoming games, with Yamal, who is Morocco and Equatorial Guinea’s descent making the cut to mark his return.

“I’m asking for the same thing I do here: that he is looked after. He has changed, he feels much better now. He’s training very well, continuing his rehab in the gym and doing great work. This is important for his pubalgia,” Flick said, referring to groin pain.

The German specialist admitted that Barcelona’s young winger still experiences some discomfort in his groin area.

“He is not yet at 100%, he still has some discomfort. We need to take care of him not just here, but also in the national team. I believe they are looking after him there as well,” the coach added.

This season, the Spanish winger has played just ten matches for Barcelona, netting five goals and providing five assists.

Spain currently leads Group E, three points ahead of Turkey, and is aiming to secure direct qualification by finishing at the top of the group.

The La Roja can secure direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup by defeating Georgia, provided that Turkey does not defeat Bulgaria in the fifth round, otherwise they will have to wait until they face Turkey in the final round.