‘Self-inflicted ‘ – Spain legend blames Yamal for injury
Former Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares has suggested that Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal must learn to better manage his workload after the winger picked up a hip injury during international duty.
Yamal, 18, featured for Spain in World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Türkiye before being sidelined.
He missed Barcelona’s 6-0 win over Valencia on Sunday and is now a doubt for the Champions League opener against Newcastle United on September 18.
Flick criticises Spain, Canizares shifts focus
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick was critical of how Spain handled his young player during the break, but Canizares believes Yamal’s own off-field activities may also be contributing to his fitness concerns.
“Forget about the type of injury, but focus on the global one,” Canizares told Sport. “You spend nine days with the national team, working, stuck in a hotel, traveling and playing two games.
“His thing is when you come, you rest. These things one learns. It’s not all about making money, making ads.”
The 54-year-old referenced his own experience under coach Juan Gómez Juanito, who was strict on ensuring players rested on match days.
“He would tell us to rest, to lie down because the game is this afternoon. I don’t want anyone standing at the hotel reception. I want you resting,” Canizares recalled.
Balancing football and commercial demands
Canizares argued that elite young players face an especially demanding schedule, combining competitive fixtures, travel, and commercial commitments.
Yamal recently launched a personalised line of football boots with Nike, which included promotional work and a photoshoot.
“It is clear that the footballer has to have a balance between rest and effort. In addition, the cracks have an added problem.
“They have a very tight schedule,” Canizares added. “Then he comes back from this trip and starts recording an ad. These are things that the child must learn. In the end, he has 18 years of sunshine. He doesn’t know everything either.”
While it is unclear whether the promotional activities had a direct impact on Yamal’s fitness, his absence is a setback for Barcelona ahead of a crucial European fixture.
