Lamine Yamal will miss Spain’s Nations League match against Czechia on Thursday after suffering a knee injury in Barcelona’s win over Atletico Madrid.
The 19-year-old picked up the problem in his right knee during Sunday’s 2-1 victory at the Metropolitano. He played the full match and set up Fermin Lopez’s winning goal as Barcelona moved three points clear at the top of La Liga.
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) said Yamal would receive treatment in Barcelona over the next few days. It is hoped he will be fit to join the national squad for Sunday’s meeting with England in Madrid.
Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal will also miss the trip to Czechia as he recovers from flu. The RFEF expects him to return for the England game.
Yamal has featured in all 20 of Barcelona and Spain’s matches this season. He has scored 17 goals and provided 13 assists, despite growing concern over the workload placed on the teenager.
His fitness has previously caused tension between Barcelona and Spain. Last September, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick accused Spain coach Luis de la Fuente of “not taking care” of the forward during a period when he was struggling with a recurring groin problem.
The federation later expressed surprise at what it described as a lack of communication from Barcelona after Yamal withdrew from Spain’s squad for the November internationals.
Yamal made his Barcelona debut at the age of 15 and has since played 167 times for the first team. He has also earned 37 caps for Spain.
Spain have won all four of their Group A3 matches and lead the standings with 12 points. A victory over Czechia and a draw against England would secure top spot, with England currently second on nine points.
The top two sides in each group will qualify for next March’s quarter-finals. Spain won the Nations League in 2022-23 and finished runners-up to Portugal in the 2024-25 edition.
