Flick criticises Spain after Lamine Yamal returns injured and is doubtful for Newcastle trip

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick criticised Spain’s handling of 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal on Saturday after revealing the teenager is a doubt for Thursday’s Champions League trip to Newcastle United.

Yamal was ruled out of Sunday’s LaLiga meeting with Valencia after returning from international duty with a groin problem. Flick said the winger started both of Spain’s World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Turkey, did not train between the matches and played the majority of both games while taking painkillers.

"He will not be available. He went off to play for Spain with some pain and did not train," Flick said. "They gave him painkillers so he could play. They had at least a three-goal lead in both matches, and he still played 73 and 79 minutes. Between the games he was not able to train. That is not looking after the player. I am very sad about this."

Flick, who previously managed Germany, said contact with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente had been limited to text messages and cited a language barrier as a factor. "Maybe my Spanish is not good, his English is not good, so this is a problem. Normally the communication could be better. I was also on this side as a national team coach, so I know how hard this job sometimes is," he added.

Yamal opened the season with two goals and two assists in LaLiga before adding three assists while on international duty. Barcelona face a busy period with the midweek Champions League trip to Newcastle followed by the domestic fixture at the 6,000-capacity Estadi Johan Cruyff while work continues on the rebuild of the Spotify Camp Nou.

Flick said the reduced venue would not be used as an excuse and reported that discussions with players and captains had reassured him. "I spoke with the players and the captains and they say it will not affect us. Also, Valencia have to play in this stadium. We showed against Como we can win here and this is what I want to see on Sunday," he said.

Barcelona will also be without midfielder Frenkie de Jong after the Dutch player sustained an injury while on international duty. Gavi and Alejandro Balde remain absent through injury. There was a piece of positive news for Flick’s squad: youngster Marc Bernal returned to the matchday squad after more than a year out with a serious knee injury.

Flick also confirmed that Thiago Alcantara had rejoined his coaching staff this week. "He has a lot of experience and he can pass it on to the players. It could be a really good piece of the puzzle for our success," Flick said.

The club faces decisions over Yamal’s recovery and squad selection for the Newcastle trip and the subsequent LaLiga match. Flick’s remarks underline growing tension between club and country over player management, particularly for young stars coping with heavy schedules and the physical demands of international and club football.