Lamine Yamal organizes his priorities

BarcelonaLamine Yamal joined the Spanish national team's training camp on Friday. The Barcelona winger had missed Thursday's match against the Czech Republic due to knee discomfort that was detected earlier in the week. This was communicated by the Federation, which also stated that the expectation was for the footballer to travel to Las Rozas "during the week," as he eventually did. It was not the only last-minute absence—forward Mikel Oyarzabal, out with the flu, also joined the group on Friday—but it was certainly the most controversial. He was accused of a lack of commitment and of having ducked out of the national team. The barrage of criticism towards Lamine Yamal was significant to the point that the manager had to defend him in public.

The truth is that the Spanish national team was approaching the match against the Czech Republic with total peace of mind. The Spanish team had already qualified for the quarterfinals of the Nations League and knew that, regardless of the outcome, it was most likely that they would have to play for first place—which grants home-field advantage in the knockout stage—in the final duel against England, scheduled for Sunday at the Metropolitano (8:45 PM, La 1). Therefore, Lamine Yamal's presence was not essential in the clash against the Czech side, and the knee discomfort was a perfect reason for him to enjoy a few extra days of rest.

Although official sources insist that Lamine's absence is explained only by medical reasons, ARA has learned that the footballer's knee problems were minimal, nothing that is not common in elite athletes. Therefore, if his presence had been necessary, the forward could have played without any problems. In fact, on Friday he already participated in training with La Roja and coach Luis de la Fuente drove the point home by saying that Lamine Yamal was fit to play "the full 90 minutes" against England.

To understand this care, one must take into account Lamine Yamal's status in the Spanish national team. At 19 years old, he has already won the European Championship (2024) and the World Cup (2026). And not with a secondary role, but as an undisputed starter. Unlike other footballers, who have to earn their spot in every international call-up, the winger raised in Rocafonda has a guaranteed place on De la Fuente's list. And not only for sporting reasons, since the RFEF also derives economic benefit from the Lamine Yamal brand, positioning him as a headliner both for ticket sales and for negotiating the national team's fees for friendlies or advertising events.

But the current Lamine Yamal is much more mature, and he has already lived the experience of not being able to compete at 100% due to untimely injuries and, above all, half-hearted recoveries. In the summer, the rush to recover from the injury to the femoral biceps of his left leg—his stronger one—deprived him of his maximum level during the World Cup. Spain won, but he could not be as much of a protagonist as he would have wished. Thus he lost points in the race for the Golden Ball, which was finally lifted by the Englishman Harry Kane, whom he faces this Sunday, precisely.

Lamine will try to win the Golden Ball through the Champions League

Both from Barça and the player's inner circle, they recall that this award is one of Lamine Yamal's major goals. "He has three: the Champions League, the World Cup, and the Ballon d'Or," they maintain. He already has the World Cup in the bag, but the player regrets that this title did not open the door for him to the award for the best footballer of the year. A recognition that he will try to achieve through the Champions League, which is also the collective goal of the blaugrana team after more than a decade without lifting the big-eared trophy.

Therefore, the fact that Lamine Yamal, by far the most used footballer by Hansi Flick this season, is ordering his priorities is seen, in general terms, as good news at Can Barça. Taking into account that to squeeze his talent to the maximum he needs an optimal physical tone, they consider it good that the best player on the team learns to listen to his body and to determine which matches are essential and which can take a back seat. Or that he more willingly accepts being substituted to get some rest. However, there are also critical voices that warn of the risk that a footballer of only 19 years old already has the power to play on his own terms. Only time will tell who is right.