Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal will not play a part in Spain’s UEFA Nations League match against Serbia on Tuesday after suffering a muscle strain, Afrosport reports.
The 17-year-old was replaced by Sergio Gomez in the 93rd minute in Spain’s 1-0 win over Denmark on Saturday. The teenager was pictured limping back to the team bus after the match, sparking suggestions of a possible injury.
However, as part of a precaution to prevent the teenager from suffering any serious injuries, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Sunday, revealed that although no injuries were detected after an MRI scan, he will miss their next match against Serbia and will return to Barcelona immediately.
The RFEF statement read: “Lamine Yamal underwent an MRI scan this morning in Madrid to assess the discomfort he reported after the match against Denmark.
“The tests did not detect any significant injury and the medical services of the RFEF confirm that it is overloaded muscles rather than damage.
“In order to prioritise the player’s health and to avoid any risk of injury, given the immediacy of the match against Serbia, it has been decided that he will not be in contention for selection.”
The RFEF revealed that Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo Riquelme has been called up to replace Yamal for Tuesday’s match against Serbia in Cordoba.
The Barcelona man was the target of several harsh tackles from the Danish players, which probably led to the muscle problem.
Spain coach Luis De la Fuente said in a post-match conference after Saturday’s game: “The referee has to protect these talented players, but Lamine has to get used to it. I would love it to be a bed of roses, Flower Power, but this sport is like that.
Yamal was a crucial to Spain’s success at the 2024 European Championship, where he formed a lethal partnership with Real Madrid full back Dani Carvajal on the right.
La Roja are currently top of Group A4 with seven points from their first three games and they will be hoping to extend their lead against their Serbian opponents, who are third with four points.
