Yamal stays in Barcelona with knee pain as RFEF targets England return

A right-knee complaint has taken Lamine Yamal out of Spain's Nations League trip to Czechia. The federation aims to have him back for England, a season after a club-versus-country row over his groin injury.

Following tests at the Ciutat Esportiva, Yamal was kept in Barcelona to continue his recovery, the RFEF said in an official statement.

Spain opened their camp at the Ciudad del Fútbol with 24 players. David Raya, Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal were listed to join later in the week. Oyarzabal was getting over the flu in San Sebastián. Víctor Muñoz was due to report the same night.

Both Yamal and Oyarzabal are expected to join the squad in the coming days.

Last season told another story. In September, Hansi Flick accused Luis de la Fuente of not looking after Yamal. In November, the RFEF complained that Barça had not kept it informed when the player withdrew, ESPN reported. That episode followed treatment on his groin.

Yamal is only 19. He has already made 167 first-team appearances for Barça and won 37 caps for Spain. That is a heavy load for a teenager. A new knee complaint, even a minor one, puts his workload back at the center of the conversation.

Yamal remains Barça’s most important attacker. Both of Barça’s goals in that comeback came from Fermín López, and it was Yamal’s through ball that created the second.

The win keeps Barça on top. After 12 matchdays, they lead LaLiga with 33 points from 11 wins and one loss. Real Madrid sit on 30 and Atlético on 28.

The squad is already stretched. Barça’s tests showed Rodri has a minor injury to the biceps femoris in his right hamstring after the Aston Villa game. His recovery time will depend on how it develops. Xavi Espart is out until the end of the year. Dani Olmo and Roony Bardghji are unavailable. Jules Koundé had not returned to full training after his ankle injury.

With that many players missing, Barça need Yamal fit for the run after the international break.

Spain’s last two Nations League group games come in quick succession. The Prague fixture goes ahead without him. His knee faces its next checkpoint in the England game at the Estadio Metropolitano.