Hansi Flick believes that Lamine Yamal was not handled properly by the Spanish national team. The eighteen-year-old forward got injured during Barcelona’s training and will miss this weekend’s match against Valencia.
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Hansi Flick has openly expressed his frustration with the way Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal was managed during the recent international break with Spain.
The German coach believes that the national team’s handling of the 18-year-old forward aggravated the player’s physical problems, and the consequences are now being felt at club level. Yamal picked up an injury during Barcelona’s training session and will not be available for this weekend’s important La Liga fixture against Valencia, which takes place on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at 21:00.
For Flick, the situation is particularly disappointing because Yamal had already been struggling with discomfort before linking up with the Spanish squad. Despite that, he still featured in matches, relying on painkillers to get through. “It’s a pity, because he went to the national team already with pain,” Flick explained. “He didn’t train with the national team. He took painkillers in order to be able to play. They scored more than three goals in each match. After the game against Bulgaria, between the matches, he didn’t train anymore. This is not proper care for players.”
The coach made it clear that he has great respect for Spain’s quality, describing Luis de la Fuente’s team as arguably the strongest in the world, boasting top-class talent in every position. However, Flick pointed out that such strength should not come at the expense of safeguarding the health and development of young stars like Yamal, who is still at a sensitive stage of his career. “Spain has the best team in the world. The best players in every position, incredibly strong. When we talk about taking care of young players, this is something that needs attention. I find this very disappointing,” he continued.
Flick also highlighted a lack of direct communication with Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, something he sees as a problem that could lead to further misunderstandings between club and country. “I have never spoken directly with Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente. We only communicated once via text message. My Spanish is not great, his English is not good, maybe that’s part of the problem. But I think communication needs to be good, because we have more than one player there and it could be handled better.”
Having previously been the coach of the German national team, Flick knows the challenges that come with managing players’ workloads in international football. He acknowledged the difficulty of the job but stressed that good communication with clubs is essential to avoid situations like the one involving Yamal. “I was also part of a national team. I know how difficult this job can be sometimes. But in the end, communication with the club was always good.”
Barcelona’s injury problems are not limited to Yamal. Flick confirmed that Frenkie de Jong, another key player in his midfield, will also miss the clash against Valencia. The Dutchman picked up an injury while representing the Netherlands in a match against Poland and has not yet recovered sufficiently to be included in the squad. “He won’t be there tomorrow,” Flick admitted, underlining the blow of being without two vital players at a crucial stage of the season.
There is, however, some positive news for the Catalan club. Marc Bernal, a promising midfielder who has been sidelined for over a year due to serious injuries, has finally returned to the matchday squad. While he is not expected to start, his presence offers Barcelona a glimmer of hope for the future. “Marc will not start yet. He will begin on the bench, and the next step in his recovery is to be available again. I’m looking forward to seeing him on the pitch and getting more minutes,” Flick said.
The injuries come at a time when Barcelona are looking to build momentum in La Liga. Flick’s side faces a tricky trip to Mestalla, where Valencia have traditionally been a tough opponent, particularly in front of their home fans. The absence of Yamal and De Jong means the German coach will have to reshuffle his starting eleven and rely on other attacking talents, such as Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, or Ansu Fati, to deliver the goals. The pressure will also be on the midfield, where youngsters like Gavi and Pedri may need to take on extra responsibility in De Jong’s absence.
For Flick, the priority remains protecting his squad from further setbacks, especially with a demanding calendar ahead. Barcelona not only need to stay competitive in La Liga, but they also face key fixtures in the Champions League group stage. Losing players like Yamal and De Jong to injuries sustained or worsened during international duty adds to the challenges of keeping the squad fit and competitive across multiple fronts.
The clash with Valencia on Sunday evening is more than just another league fixture. It will serve as an early test of Barcelona’s squad depth and Flick’s ability to adapt under difficult circumstances. All eyes will be on how the team responds without two of its most influential players, and whether the returning Marc Bernal can begin to re-establish himself after such a long layoff.
As Barcelona prepare for a demanding season, Flick’s frustration with Spain’s handling of Yamal is not just a passing comment. It reflects broader concerns about player welfare, communication between clubs and national teams, and the long-term impact of overloading young stars. For now, Barcelona will have to cope without Yamal and De Jong, hoping their absence does not prove decisive in what promises to be a challenging night at Mestalla.
Updated: 03:04, 13 Sep 2025
