Spanish-Moroccan sensation Lamine Yamal ‘was afraid to join Spain squad’ amid injury scare

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal ‘was afraid to join Spain’s squad’ this week due to fears of aggravating a recurring groin problem, reports from Spain have revealed.

The 18-year-old Spanish-Moroccan/Equatoguinean forward, one of Europe’s brightest young talents, was sent back to Barcelona on Monday after discussions between the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Catalan club over his fitness.

Tensions flared between both parties when the RFEF accused Barcelona of failing to inform them that Yamal would undergo a medical assessment on Monday morning. The club, however, insists it had already notified the federation a day earlier.

According to Spanish journalist Josep Pedrerol, Yamal’s reluctance stemmed from genuine fear of suffering another setback so soon after returning from injury.

“They tell me Lamine Yamal was afraid. Afraid of getting injured again,” Pedrerol said on Spanish TV show El Chiringuito.

“His friends wrote to him: ‘If you go to the national team, be careful, you might get worse.’ He started receiving messages like this and eventually confided to a member of Barça: ‘I’m afraid of going to the national team.’”

Following his admission, Barcelona reportedly sought the expertise of a Belgian specialist who has previously worked with Paris Saint-Germain and NBA players. The doctor travelled to Barcelona to examine Yamal on Monday.

Tests later confirmed the winger required a treatment period of around seven to ten days, effectively ruling him out of Spain’s upcoming international fixtures.

Yamal has endured a demanding start to the season, featuring heavily for Barcelona despite his age.

His workload, coupled with the club’s recent injury crisis, has raised concerns about player management and fitness protection.