Lamine Yamal dispute deepens tensions between Barcelona and Spain’s football federation

November 12, 2025 Oliver Obel

In a statement published on its official website, the RFEF said it was “surprised and dissatisfied” after learning that Barcelona’s medical staff had performed a radio wave therapy procedure on Yamal’s groin injury without informing the national team’s doctors.

“The treatment was carried out without our prior knowledge, and we were notified only after the player had undergone the procedure,” the federation said, calling the situation “unusual and disappointing.”

According to the statement, the RFEF first received word of the treatment at 1:47 p.m. on Monday, just hours after Spain’s players had gathered for training at the start of their qualifying camp.

Late-night update

That evening, at 10:40 p.m., federation officials were informed that doctors now recommended a seven- to ten-day rest period for the 18-year-old winger.

That left the RFEF frustrated, as Spain’s medical and tactical preparations were already underway. Following medical advice, Spain decided to release Yamal from the squad for the upcoming matches against Georgia and Turkey.

While the federation stressed that it would always prioritize the player’s health, it also noted that the episode “raises questions” about communication between the club and the national setup.

Broader implications

Yamal’s absence is a setback for Spain, who are still looking to mathematically secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The Barcelona prodigy — who became Spain’s youngest-ever goalscorer in 2023 — has been one of the national team’s brightest attacking prospects.

Spanish outlets such as AS and Marca report that the controversy has reignited long-standing friction between Barcelona and the federation, part of a broader debate over how top clubs manage their young stars’ workloads.

Both sides are expected to revisit the issue after the international break, but for now, the uneasy relationship between club and country shows no sign of easing.

Sources: RFEF, Reuters, Ritzau, Marca, AS