Barcelona president Joan Laporta has called on Spain boss Luis de la Fuente to look after Lamine Yamal after seeing the teenager called up to the latest squad for World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey.
Yamal is one of five Barcelona players in the squad – along with Pau Cubarsi, Ferran Torres, Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo – and Laporta hopes he won’t play 90 minutes in both games.
“He’s making a huge effort with his pubalgia. He’s a genius and a committed player. He’s a veteran, because he’s already played here. Lamine to the national team? I always see it as recognition, and Lamine is the best in the world in his position, so it’s normal that he’s called up,” he said after Barca’s open training session at the Camp Nou.
“I’d like him to manage his playing time, because Spain is practically qualified. I see him as having superlative quality. He was furious in Bruges because we didn’t win, and he played a fantastic game.”
De la Fuente has said he thinks Yamal is in “perfect condition” after seeing him play for Barcelona in midweek against Club Brugge which suggests he is likely to start Spain’s next match as La Roja book to bid their place at World Cup 2026.
Victory in that match could secure qualification for Spain, meaning De la Fuente may then look to rotate in his team’s second game of the break.
