Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente delivered a pointed response when asked about Lamine Yamal during his press conference at Prague's Letná Stadium ahead of Spain's match against the Czech Republic, rejecting suggestions that the Barcelona forward deliberately made himself unavailable for the national team.
"Speaking about things you know nothing about is one of the saddest and most regrettable things in life," De la Fuente said when asked what he would say to those who believe Yamal avoided playing for Spain.
Pressed further on the speculation surrounding the 18-year-old, the coach added: "People tell me things, and what bothers me most is the lying, the lack of accuracy, the lack of truthfulness, the things people make up. When that happens, I try to set the record straight. That's why I sometimes share more than I should. It's a way of revealing the truth with facts. I can't stand people who try to deceive you or lie to you."
De la Fuente explained that Yamal picked up discomfort in one knee, and when he underwent his usual treatment, fluid and inflammation were found that suggested he needed rest. The coach said Spain's medical staff worked together with Barcelona's medical team, and the decision was made for Yamal to stay home training with his club before rejoining the squad on Friday.
Asked whether Yamal has received special treatment, De la Fuente insisted the player has no privileges and that Spain would have handled any player's situation the same way, adding that the squad misses anyone who is absent, calling it simply part of football and injuries. He said he has spoken with both Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal, describing their progress as good, with Yamal doing a set of exercises, and said he believes the forward will be with the squad on Friday.
Other squad matters
On the absence of Rodri, De la Fuente said all players in that position share a similar profile but each brings something irreplaceable, calling Rodri the best in the world there and Martín Zubimendi the second best, someone who provides what the team needs in a different way. He added that Zubimendi, like every player, is treated equally, though squad members have told him they feel very comfortable once they arrive.
Asked about Mikel Merino, the coach said all footballers want to play and that Merino is ambitious and aware of his quality, but noted his teammates share that level too, adding that there is no real difference between starting and coming on later since substitutes benefit from the work already done and score plenty of goals.
On Spain's 43-match unbeaten run, De la Fuente said the team is now motivated by the fight for first place against England, adding that no one expected the run to reach 35 matches, let alone 43, and that the group wants to push on to 44.
Asked about possible rotation in goal, De la Fuente praised new addition Valles, saying he fits the squad's philosophy and already feels like one of the group after just two days, and also mentioned Álvaro settling in well. He separately praised Unai Simón, who recently received an award, calling him the best goalkeeper in the world as well as an excellent teammate who has matured since Spain first worked with him at 16 or 17.
De la Fuente confirmed Aymeric Laporte will not train due to a viral illness, with his availability for the match still unknown. On the Czech Republic, he called their previous meeting in Spain a difficult game to resolve and praised their coach Santi Denia, describing him as a friend he had spoken with that morning and crediting him with teaching him how to be a national-team coach.
Asked about who might inherit Dani Olmo's No. 10 shirt, De la Fuente said he had spoken with Olmo last week and that he was progressing well, adding that squad numbers are chosen by players according to seniority and that he has no say or superstition about who takes the shirt.
