Luis de la Fuente defended Spain’s handling of Lamine Yamal after criticism from Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, who accused the national team of overusing the youngster despite his pubic discomfort.
Luis de la Fuente has stepped forward to address the ongoing tension with Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, a dispute that has emerged from the management of young prodigy Lamine Yamal during Spain’s recent international fixtures.
The situation has sparked heated debate between club and country, particularly regarding player welfare, communication, and the fine balance between maximizing talent and protecting a player’s long-term health.
Speaking to the press, De la Fuente expressed both surprise and disappointment at Flick’s sharp criticism, pointing out that the German should know better given his own experience as a national team coach. “He was a national team coach and knows how we behave. Yesterday, Grimaldo explained our conduct, mine and that of the other professionals within the squad. I’m surprised that a former national team coach of Germany would have that opinion, but everyone chooses what they want to say,” De la Fuente remarked.
The Spanish coach’s defense came in direct response to Flick’s outspoken complaints before Barcelona’s La Liga clash against Valencia on September 13. Flick had criticized Spain’s decision to keep Yamal on the field for extended minutes in friendlies against Bulgaria and Turkey, both of which were essentially decided before full time. The Barça boss suggested that the Spanish federation had been negligent in managing the 17-year-old, revealing that Yamal had returned to Barcelona carrying pain and requiring painkillers.
“It’s a shame. He already came back with pain and they gave him painkillers. He played 73 and 79 minutes, and between the games he didn’t train. That’s not taking care of players. Spain has the best players and the best team, but they didn’t look after him. I’m very disappointed,” Flick stated, making clear that he believed the federation had placed short-term results above the player’s health. His frustration did not stop there, as he also pointed to a lack of direct communication with De la Fuente. “I never spoke to him, only by text message. My Spanish is not very good, his English is not very good either, but in the end communication could have been better. Besides, we don’t just have one player, we have many. I’ve been in that situation myself, because I was a coach, but the communication between the club and the Spanish federation must be good,” Flick continued.
These remarks reignited the age-old conflict between clubs and national teams regarding the handling of players, especially when it comes to rising stars who are asked to perform at high levels across both domestic and international competitions. Clubs, who invest heavily in developing and protecting young talents, often demand caution and rest, while national team coaches feel pressure to field their best players, even in seemingly less decisive fixtures.
For De la Fuente, however, the criticism felt unjust, not only because of his own track record but also because of the way the Spanish staff claims to have carefully managed Yamal’s minutes. In his view, Flick’s words lacked “empathy” and failed to acknowledge the efforts made by Spain’s medical and technical team to balance the player’s workload. By bringing up Alejandro Grimaldo’s recent comments, De la Fuente also sought to underline that other players within the squad had publicly vouched for the professionalism and care of the Spanish staff.
The Spanish coach also addressed why he initially refrained from responding publicly to Flick’s accusations. At the time, he was attending a ceremony in his hometown, where he was honored with the Golden Keys of Peña Logroño. “I was in my hometown enjoying a wonderful day and it wasn’t the right time for those kinds of questions. I simply wanted to say that. There is no conflict whatsoever with Hansi Flick,” De la Fuente explained, attempting to downplay the perception of a rift between himself and the Barcelona manager.
Still, the episode has drawn attention to the immense pressure on Yamal, a teenager thrust into the spotlight for both Barcelona and Spain. His recurring pubic discomfort has already forced him to miss games, and debates about whether he is being overused are intensifying. Comparisons are being made to past cases where young players faced burnout or long-term injuries after being rushed into heavy workloads too early in their careers.
The controversy also highlights the broader challenges of international football, where cooperation between clubs and federations is essential but often strained. Flick’s demand for clearer communication and De la Fuente’s insistence on fairness and respect reflect two sides of the same coin: both want what is best for the player, but each operates within their own priorities and responsibilities.
As things stand, Yamal’s availability remains uncertain, not just for Barcelona’s upcoming domestic matches but also for Spain’s fixtures in the international break. His physical condition will likely dictate how this dispute evolves, and whether further tension arises between the two coaches. For now, De la Fuente insists there is no personal conflict, but the broader debate over player welfare, workload, and communication is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
