According to Barça Universal on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Barcelona sporting director Deco has passionately defended teenage superstar Lamine Yamal, opening up about the youngster’s injury struggles and the club’s growing frustration with how Spain’s national team has handled the winger’s workload.
In a heartfelt interview with Catalunya Radio, Deco walked a tightrope between diplomacy and concern — calling for better communication between Barça and La Roja, while hailing Yamal as a “global treasure” who must be carefully protected.
The 17-year-old has been nursing a recurrence of pubic overload, an issue that kept him sidelined during the international break. He’s expected to return for Barcelona’s post-break La Liga clash with Girona, but Deco’s tone made it clear — the club isn’t happy with how things have been managed.
“Lamine came with pubic overload. He tried to recover for the PSG game, to play at his best level. Things didn’t go well; playing 90 minutes at such intensity was too much,” Deco explained, subtly hinting that Spain could have managed the teenager’s minutes more carefully.
Following medical evaluations, Barcelona took no chances. “After the match, it was decided Lamine would not play in Seville. He needed a special plan, and we informed the Federation,” Deco revealed, emphasizing the club’s priority on long-term player welfare.
But rather than escalate tensions, the Portuguese executive adopted a calm yet firm approach. “I don’t know if Lamine spoke with De la Fuente; he is free to do so. We spoke internally and informed the national team — he wasn’t well,” Deco clarified, suggesting that internal communication remains key to avoiding future flare-ups.
He went on to recognize Spain’s professionalism but admitted situations like these are always uncomfortable. “We know the national team treats players well, but you never like seeing something like this,” he admitted.
Still, Deco shifted the conversation to a more holistic perspective — one that defines Barcelona’s philosophy of care. “We take care of every player — Lamine, Raphinha, Casado, Bernal — each one is different. When you’re important to Barça, you’re important to the world,” he stated proudly.
The 48-year-old then reflected on Yamal’s rare maturity, speaking with the admiration of a mentor who knows he’s witnessing greatness unfold.
“Lamine has a different kind of maturity — he’s special. For Barça and for football, he’s a gift. We should be happy to have him.”
Deco’s words weren’t just about injury management — they were a heartfelt reminder of the delicate balance between ambition and protection. For a player as precocious as Lamine Yamal, Barcelona knows they’re not just nurturing a star — they’re safeguarding a once-in-a-generation talent.
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