Lamine Yamal has joined Spain’s training camp at Las Rozas ahead of Sunday’s decisive Nations League meeting with England at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
The Barcelona winger missed Spain’s previous match against Czechia as a precaution, but has now returned after taking an agreed period of rest. His arrival means he is available to work with head coach Luis de la Fuente before a match that will determine the group leaders.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Yamal travelled to the Spain camp with the rest of the squad after completing the planned period of recovery. He is said to be in good physical condition and ready to be considered for selection against England.
His absence from the first of Spain’s two fixtures during the current international break prompted questions, something which angered de la Fuente. The Spain manager addressed the decision before the match in Prague, explaining that Yamal had been left out because of a knee problem.
“It is sad and unfortunate that some people talk about things in life without knowing the truth. That is why I have come here to clarify matters,” said de la Fuente.
“Lamine has inflammation in his knee. The national team’s medical staff examined him, and I decided it was better, to avoid that journey, for him to stay at home and train with his club.”
De la Fuente also rejected suggestions that Yamal had been given preferential treatment.
“I am not concerned by the messages coming from outside because I am here to explain things clearly. People create explanations that have nothing to do with reality,” he said.
“Lamine does not have any privileges, and we would have made the same decision with any other player.”
The manager returned to the subject in visibly angry terms, criticising the reporting surrounding the teenager’s absence.
“What hurts me most is the lying, the lack of accuracy and credibility, and the invention of things,” said de la Fuente.
“That is why I revealed more details than I should have, but it was the only way for people to know what really happened. I cannot stand people who try to deceive you and lie to you.”
Yamal is now in line to feature in the most important match in the group. The meeting with England will decide who finishes top and earns the advantage of playing the second leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final at home.
England will be seeking to respond after losing to Spain in the two teams’ previous meeting at Wembley. Their objective is to take first place in the group, while Spain will have Yamal back among their most influential attacking options for the contest on 15 November 2026.
