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Barcelona dominated Valencia with a 6-0 victory in their fourth La Liga match on September 14 at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. The win moves the Catalan club up to second place in the table with 10 points from four games. With momentum on their side, Barcelona now turn their attention to their first Champions League match of the 2025/26 season later this week.
The match, however, was marked by the absence of 18-year-old La Masia graduate Lamine Yamal. The talented winger has been dealing with groin issues that worsened during his recent international duty with Spain. Barca head coach Hansi Flick expressed frustration over how the national team managed Yamal’s situation, saying that the youngster played significant minutes for Spain while already in pain. Flick criticized the federation for not looking after the players, especially young talents, and emphasized that player welfare should be a priority.
Reports suggest Yamal is recovering but remains a doubt for Barcelona’s Champions League opener against Newcastle United on September 18 at St. James’ Park. Mundo Deportivo even stated that it would take “a miracle” for him to be fit for that match.
To prevent similar issues in the future, Barcelona sporting director Deco is scheduled to meet with Aitor Karanka, technical director at the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The discussions will focus on improving communication between clubs and the national team to safeguard players’ health and ensure clubs are fully aware of their players’ conditions.
Flick has indicated that Barcelona will not rush Yamal back for upcoming fixtures, prioritizing his full recovery and fitness. While the club celebrates a dominant win over Valencia, ensuring Yamal’s well-being remains a top concern as Barcelona prepare for their European campaign.