Deco Joins Barcelona’s Protests Over Lamine Yamal’s Injury
Deco backed Hansi Flick and criticized the Spanish national team for the handling of Lamine Yamal’s injury, ruling him out against Valencia and doubtful for the clash with Newcastle.
Support for Flick and a message to Spain
Barcelona sporting director Anderson Luis de Souza ‘Deco’ publicly supported coach Hansi Flick’s remarks regarding the Spanish national team’s management of Lamine Yamal. The young forward is dealing with pubic discomfort, and both the club and the coach believe he was forced to play more minutes than necessary during the recent international break.
“We agree with what the coach said, because Lamine Yamal is important both for us and for the national team. Everyone needs to take a little more care,” stated Deco in comments to the club’s media ahead of Sunday’s match against Valencia.
The 18-year-old winger had already been struggling with pain during Spain’s World Cup 2026 qualifying matches against Bulgaria and Turkey on September 4 and 7. In both games, the youngster played more than 70 minutes, which frustrated Barcelona’s staff, who believe his condition was not managed properly.
A call to improve communication
In addition to backing Flick, Deco highlighted the need for stronger coordination between clubs and national teams. “We agree that communication and protocols need to improve. Players are exposed to too much workload, and there are many things that need to be fixed,” said the Brazilian former midfielder.
The absence of Lamine Yamal is a major setback for Barcelona, who will play their first home game of the season against Valencia at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. His availability for next Thursday’s UEFA Champions League clash with Newcastle is also uncertain.
The situation reignites a familiar debate: the overload of international fixtures for young players who already carry a heavy responsibility at their clubs. In this case, the concern is that Lamine Yamal, a cornerstone of the Catalan project, could risk a more serious injury if not managed carefully.
Deco’s message is clear: clubs and national teams must work hand in hand to protect footballers’ health. A warning that reflects not only Barcelona’s concern but also an increasingly relevant issue across world football.
