Spain’s 2026 World Cup qualifying marketing campaign continues tonight in Valladolid, the place Luis de la Fuente’s aspect faces Bulgaria. The European champion has been unstoppable to this point, with Lamine Yamal taking part in a key function of their early success — but the younger prodigy might be lacking from the lineup this night. His absence has left followers asking one query: why isn’t Spain’s brightest star collaborating?
Spain enters the conflict towards Bulgaria with an opportunity to equal a historic document. A win or draw tonight would see La Roja match their 29-game unbeaten streak in official matches, a feat solely achieved as soon as earlier than — between 2010 and 2013, when it reigned as each World and European champion.
Below Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s resurgence has been outstanding. They captured the UEFA Nations League in 2023, adopted by the European Championship in 2024, and have now opened World Cup qualification with three wins out of three, scoring 11 targets and conceding none. Their performances, a 3-0 win in Sofia towards Bulgaria, a 6-0 demolition of Turkey, and a 2-0 overcome Georgia, have reestablished them as Europe’s dominant drive.
However tonight, the aspect will take the sector with out Lamine Yamal, the teenage phenomenon who contributed three assists within the first two qualifiers. For a participant who has already been hailed because the “new face” of Spanish soccer, his sudden omission raises eyebrows and hypothesis.
The actual purpose behind Lamine Yamal’s absence
In line with studies from Mundo Deportivo and confirmed by Barcelona’s official assertion, the 18-year-old ahead has suffered a recurrence of a groin harm, also referred to as pubalgia.
The issue first appeared after final month’s worldwide break, the place Yamal starred for Spain towards Bulgaria and Turkey. Upon returning to Catalonia, he was identified with discomfort within the pubic space and subsequently missed 4 straight matches. Although he returned to motion briefly, he reaggravated the harm throughout Barcelona’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, forcing each membership and nation to behave with warning.
“The groin drawback for Lamine Yamal has returned following the sport towards PSG. The participant will miss the sport towards Sevilla and his restoration time is estimated at two to 3 weeks,” Barcelona mentioned in an official assertion.
Because of this, Luis de la Fuente was pressured to withdraw Yamal from the nationwide group after consulting Barca’s medical workers. The choice got here amid ongoing stress between the Spanish Soccer Federation and Barcelona, with Hansi Flick reportedly sad with how Spain beforehand managed the participant’s workload.
Lamine Yamal Spain
Restoration timeline and Barcelona’s cautious strategy
Barcelona’s medical report means that relaxation and cargo administration are essential to Yamal’s restoration. At simply 18, the winger has already performed over 60 matches within the 2024-25 season, incomes a repute for his relentless power but in addition exposing himself to bodily pressure.
As per Mundo Deportivo, the Blaugrana’s plan is for Yamal to make a gradual return after the worldwide break. If his progress stays on schedule, he might seem from the bench towards Girona on October 18, play extra minutes versus Olympiacos within the Champions League on October 21, and be absolutely match for El Clásico towards Actual Madrid on October 26.
