Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal has been excluded from the national team squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey due to a thigh injury, a move that has drawn criticism from the Spanish Football Federation. The federation stated that the 18-year-old Barcelona winger, who missed five club matches due to the problem, underwent microwave therapy treatment on Monday, as the national team camp began. This procedure was carried out without prior notification to the national team's medical staff, who only learned the details from a report received at 22:40 local time. The report recommended a rest period of seven to ten days. In light of this situation, and to prioritize the player's health and well-being at all times, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has decided to release the player from the current squad. Spain's coach, Luis de la Fuente, described the situation as unprecedented. Yamal, who has scored six goals and provided six assists in 11 matches for Barcelona this season, has also played 23 games for the Spanish national team. Spain tops World Cup qualifying Group F with 12 points from four matches, having scored 15 goals and conceded none. Spain will face Georgia on Saturday in Tbilisi before hosting Turkey on Tuesday in Seville. Spain will qualify for the finals if they win against Georgia and Turkey fail to beat Bulgaria, or if Spain draws and Turkey loses.
