Baena says Spain squad accepts Yamal decisions as England test approaches

Alex Baena says Spain manager Luis de la Fuente would treat Lamine Yamal in the same way as any other player, while insisting the Barcelona winger was left out of the previous squad because of physical discomfort.

The Atletico Madrid midfielder was speaking at a news conference before Spain’s Nations League meeting with England on Sunday, 15 November 2026. His comments were reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Asked whether he would accept Yamal receiving special treatment, Baena said: “Yes, but he has not been given any privileges. He finished the match at the Metropolitano with some pain, underwent medical tests, and that was the end of it. If at any point we had to give him preferential treatment, all the players would understand.”

Baena also played down the reaction to De la Fuente’s decision, saying the attention surrounding Yamal had made the issue appear bigger than it was inside the Spain camp.

“We have to understand that we have never had a player who receives as much attention as Lamine Yamal,” he said. “But I think Luis de la Fuente would have acted in exactly the same way with any other player. The noise comes more from outside than from within the national team.”

The Spain international said the atmosphere in the dressing room showed how normally the squad had handled the situation.

Baena described England as Spain’s next major challenge and placed both teams among the strongest in international football.

“I think that, along with England, we are the two best teams in the world,” he said. “England are the most ready at the moment and have a group of top players.”

He also discussed England’s key threats, identifying Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham as players who would require particular attention.

“Kane and Bellingham are among the best players in their positions,” said Baena. “We have to be careful of their ability to go directly towards goal and give them special attention.”

Kane’s recent Ballon d’Or success was also raised. Baena admitted he would have preferred a Spanish player or Yamal to win the award, but said the England striker was a deserving recipient.

The Atletico midfielder additionally reflected on his own development after facing criticism when he was included in Spain’s squad for the World Cup. The player from Almeria acknowledged that the previous season had not been the best of his career, while defending De la Fuente’s continued faith in him.

“I think it is understandable that people criticised the decision to call me up. I have always admitted that my season was not the best,” he said. “But the manager always trusted me, and I gave everything I had, 100%. I also contribute a lot to creating a positive atmosphere within the group.”

Baena added that the World Cup had helped him make a significant improvement and said he was now enjoying the best period of his career.

Spain’s unbeaten run was also important to him, with the sequence having given the team the longest unbeaten record in its history.

“We attach great importance to it. None of us likes losing,” he said. “It is important to see how far we can go.”