(Lamine Yamal. Photo by TIME)
Spain coach, Luis de la Fuente, denied rumors that Barcelona player Lamine Yamal got special favors when he showed up late to join the national team.

The 19 years old missed Spain's squad for Thursday's Nations League game against the Czech Republic.

He had knee pain and swelling after Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid in La Liga, so he stayed in Barcelona to recover with the club's medical team.

Speaking on Wednesday, De la Fuente said it made more sense for Yamal to stay home and keep getting treatment, rather than travel.

He said any other player in the same situation would have been treated the same way.

"Lamine Yamal doesn't have any special privileges.

We would have done this for any other player," he said.

He also got frustrated with reports suggesting the decision was shaped by Yamal's status in the team.

He said the thing that bothers him most is people lying and making things up.

Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal is also set to join the squad later, after recovering from flu and welcoming his second child.

Yamal has been carrying a heavy load this season.

He has played 16 games for Barcelona, scoring 13 goals and making 12 assists.

He also played 45 matches last season and has appeared 14 times for Spain in 2026.

The good news is De la Fuente is hopeful.

He said Yamal's recovery is going well and he believes the winger will be back with the squad on Friday ahead of Sunday's match against England.

Whether he plays against England will depend on how the knee holds up.