This is the flip side. Lamine Yamal's performances with FC Barcelona quickly convinced the federation, and in particular Luis de la Fuente, to make the 16-year-old winger a Spanish international. Called up in September after only a few professional matches, the young wolf from La Masia made everyone agree. If he has already become a major element of his club and La Roja, Yamal will have to take another factor into account. His physical resistance to the sequence of all these matches.
For several weeks, the debate has arisen at the RFEF. The boy was initially slated for, at best, the Olympics, despite being just an U19 international less than a year ago. He has exploded in the meantime and it is especially the Euro that he will compete in from June. However, the U23 coach, Santi Denia, has not given up on the Paris Olympic event abounds Relevo this Friday. He is indeed counting on the winger and will have the last word since in Spain, unlike France, the law requires players to respond to call-ups from the national teams.
Xavier: “Don’t let the Pedri case repeat itself”
Barça is already trembling at the idea of seeing its protégé compete in two competitions (June 14-July 14 and July 24-August 9) without a break in between. He has not forgotten the 73 matches accumulated by Pedri during the 2020/2021 season with the Euro and Tokyo Olympics at the end of the chain. The midfielder, 19 years old at the time, is still struggling to get over it today. “Don’t let the Pedri case repeat itself”, Xavi also warned at a press conference. Pau Cubarsí is also faced with this situation, all the more reason to be worried.
Barça has already started its standoff with the federation for the 17-year-old defender and is doing the same for its attacker. Despite the legislative texts, the risk is too great. You have to negotiate. “In life, you always have to speak before you forbid. As a club we don't want them playing in both competitionsassured Deco a few days ago on the airwaves of Cadena SER. We cannot have a player who goes to the Euros and then immediately plays in the Olympic Games. The sports director culé warns, he will not let this happen. “It's too much.”
