# De la Fuente rejects claims of special treatment for Yamal

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/de-la-fuente-feels-the-strain-as-lamine-yamal-club-v-country-debate-rages-in-spain/
- Published: 2026-11-14T08:00:40+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-14T08:47:37+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/nov/14/lamine-yamal-luis-de-la-fuente-spain-england-club-country
- Topics: Celebrity, Entertainment, Europe, Football, Health, Medicine, Sport, UK, World

## Key points

- De la Fuente rejects claims Yamal received special treatment.
- A knee scan led Spain to give Yamal rest before England.
- Injuries rule out Rodri and Dani Olmo for Sunday’s match.

## Summary

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has criticised what he called “lies” and unsupported claims that Lamine Yamal received preferential treatment during the international break. The row has overshadowed preparations for Sunday’s Nations League match against England in Madrid, highlighting tensions around managing a young star who is increasingly central to Spain’s plans.

Yamal missed the build-up to Spain’s 2-0 win over Czechia after a scan found fluid in his knee, and De la Fuente said he chose rest and treatment over travel. The manager said Yamal was fit and keen to face England; he noted that Mikel Oyarzabal had been given the same delayed-arrival plan. Spain will also be without injured Dani Olmo and captain Rodri, while the debate has reopened questions about the relationship between the national team and Barcelona over Yamal’s workload and care.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.