ESPN FC Lamine Yamal Out of Spain Squad
Nov 11, 2025
Stuart Robson, a former professional footballer and tactical analyst, teams up with Sid Lowe, a renowned football writer, and Jan Aage Fjortoft, a former player and pundit, to discuss Lamine Yamal's withdrawal from the Spain squad due to fitness issues. They delve into the clash between Barcelona and the national team's concerns over player welfare. The trio also analyzes Barcelona's defensive troubles, Real Madrid's goalscoring drought, and the implications of ownership changes at Atletico Madrid, all while sharing insights on player transitions and the challenges they face.
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Club vs Country Trust Collapse
- The Barcelona–Spain dispute over Lamine Yamal shows a breakdown of trust between club and country medical teams.
- Sid Lowe warns the conflict now centers on the player's welfare rather than just fitness data.
Prioritize Youth Recovery
- Protect young players by prioritizing recovery over appearances when they report groin or similar injuries.
- Stuart Robson says simply: if a 17/18-year-old has a slight groin knock, he shouldn't go with the national team.
Miscommunication Drives The Conflict
- The Yamal row stems less from a single treatment and more from ongoing poor communication and past painkiller injections.
- Sid Lowe says this repeated mismanagement undermines long-term interests of both sides.