Spain boss sends strong message to Barcelona about Lamine Yamal’s game time
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has sent out a pretty strong message to Barcelona about Lamine Yamal’s game time over the international break.
The teenager played all 90 minutes last time out against Serbia and could well do the same again on Sunday when Spain face Switzerland.
De la Fuente was pretty clear when asked that players should be able to play twice during the international break.
“If you can’t play 180 minutes in September, we stop everything,” he told reporters.
“We are doing what we have to do, representing our country, my duty is to protect all the players, and that’s what I do.”
The Spain boss was also asked what he would say to Barcelona fans nervous about Lamine Yamal’s play time and offered up the following response.
“I tell them that it is lucky that they have a player of that level and that he plays so many games for the national team,” he added.
De la Fuente’s comments won’t go down well with Barca fans who have already seen Gavi ruled out for almost a year after being injured on international duty.
Fermin Lopez and Pedri have also recently suffered injuries while playing for Spain, while Dani Olmo has also picked up a knock during the latest call-up.