Barcelona Manager Flick Speaks Out on Yamal's Injury

Flick criticizes Spain's approach to Yamal's injury

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick criticizes Spain's handling of Lamine Yamal's injury, questioning player welfare. Read more about the controversy.

“I never spoke; I have had one conversation via text but I never spoke with him. My Spanish is not good, his English is not good, so maybe this is a problem...”

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has expressed concerns over the welfare of Spanish national team players after Lamine Yamal suffered a groin injury while on international duty. The 18-year-old forward is expected to miss Sunday's LaLiga match against Valencia and faces uncertainty for the upcoming Champions League game against Newcastle next week.

Flick's comments suggest that the Spanish team's handling of player injuries and workload may need reevaluation to prevent further setbacks. With top clubs like Barcelona competing in high-stakes tournaments, player fitness and injury management become critical factors in determining success.

“Lamine will not be available tomorrow, it's a pity. He played with the national team despite pain. He had problems, played 79 and 73 minutes, and didn't even train between matches because of this pain,” Flick said.

“That is not really taking care of the players, is it? It is not. Spain, they have the best team in the world, best players in the world. In every position, they are unbelievably good. So, maybe they will also want to take care of our players, our young players, but it's like they are doing this (to them).

“This is what I can say and I'm really sad about this.”

Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's talented young forward, missed Friday's training session due to discomfort in his pubis area, which is preventing him from training and playing. This recent setback adds to the club's existing injury concerns. Hansi Flick, Barcelona's manager, revealed that Yamal had been carrying an existing injury and received painkillers to play for Spain.

Yamal's recent schedule has been packed, playing 152 minutes in World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Turkey last week, where he contributed three assists. Flick hasn't consulted with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente about Yamal's injury. With a congested schedule ahead, including crucial matches in La Liga and the Champions League, Flick must carefully manage Yamal's recovery to avoid further setbacks.

“I was also on this side, as a national team coach. I know how hard sometimes the job is,” Flick said.

“I never spoke; I have had one conversation via text but I never spoke with him. My Spanish is not good, his English is not good, so maybe this is a problem.”

“But in the end, I think the communication - because we have not only one player there, we have many players there - it could be better.”

Barcelona's manager Hansi Flick confirmed that Lamine Yamal won't be available for Sunday's match against Valencia due to discomfort in his pubic bone. Yamal's participation in the upcoming Champions League game against Newcastle United is also uncertain. “Yes, discomfort in his pubic bone. He has been tested. He is doubtful for Newcastle,” said Barcelona's press officer Gabriel Martinez.

🚨⚠️ Lamine Yamal will miss tomorrow’s game and can be also out vs Newcastle.

Hansi Flick: “Spain gave him painkillers and even when they were winning they made him play. This is not taking care of the players. I'm very sad about this”. pic.twitter.com/MsjsyDOA3J

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 13, 2025

Injury Updates:

Lamine Yamal: Suffering from discomfort in his pubic bone, Yamal has been ruled out for the Valencia match and is doubtful for the Newcastle game.

Frenkie de Jong: The midfielder will miss the Valencia match due to an injury sustained while on duty with the Netherlands.

Marc Bernal: The 18-year-old midfielder is set to return after a 13-month absence with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Flick expressed his concerns about the Spanish national team's handling of Yamal's injury, stating that the player had been experiencing pain before joining the national team camp and was given painkillers to play. “He had problems, played 79 and 73 minutes, and didn't even train between matches because of this pain. That is not really taking care of the players, is it? It is not,” Flick said, criticizing the team's approach.