Luis de la Fuente was angry on Wednesday, and he didn't hide it. Spain's head coach was asked about reports that Lamine Yamal had been given preferential treatment by being allowed to join the squad late, and he rejected the whole idea.
What actually happened
Yamal, 19, did not travel with Spain for tonight's Nations League game against the Czech Republic. He came out of Barcelona's La Liga win over Atletico Madrid with discomfort and inflammation in his right knee, and stayed in Barcelona to be treated by the club's medical staff.
De la Fuente said the decision was his. Sparing the player a journey and letting him carry on his treatment at home made more sense, and he would have done exactly the same for anybody else in the squad. "Lamine doesn't have any special privileges," he said.
Then he turned on the coverage. Reports in the Spanish media had suggested the teenager was being indulged because he hadn't been made to report straight away. What hurt most, the coach said, was the lying and the lack of rigour, and he added that he can't stand people who set out to deceive.
There is a second late arrival, which rather supports his point. Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal is also expected to join up after the others. He has had flu, and his second child has just been born. Nobody has accused him of being a favourite.
The workload behind the row
The reason a swollen knee becomes a story is the amount of football Yamal plays. He is still a teenager and he is already the main man for club and country. This season he has 16 appearances for Barcelona, with 13 goals and 12 assists. Last season he played 45 matches. He has turned out 14 times for Spain in 2026 alone, a year that included winning the World Cup.
He was the youngest player ever to win the European Championship when Spain took Euro 2024. Two years on, every knock he picks up gets treated as a referendum on how he is being managed. De la Fuente obviously finds that tiresome. It is also not going to stop.
Back for England?
The practical question is Sunday. Spain lead their Nations League group and host England in Madrid at 19:45 GMT, with Thomas Tuchel's side second. De la Fuente's update was upbeat: the recovery is going well and Spain believe Yamal will be with them on Friday.
That leaves him out against the Czechs and, if the knee settles, available for the bigger game. Which is roughly what you would plan for any important player carrying a minor injury.
Key facts: Lamine Yamal, 19, Barcelona and Spain. Missed Czech Republic v Spain on Thursday 12 November with inflammation in his right knee. Expected to rejoin the squad on Friday before Spain v England in Madrid on Sunday 15 November, 19:45 GMT. Club record this season: 16 games, 13 goals, 12 assists.
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