Lamine Yamal will be out up to three weeks with a recurrence of a groin injury. Barcelona announced the injury hours after he was named in Spain's squad for upcoming October international fixtures.

Yamal missed four matches in September due to a groin injury.

Yamal started both of Spain’s World Cup qualifiers during September’s international break against Bulgaria and Turkey. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick claimed the teenager had already joined the camp with a minor problem, that he did not complete a full training session with the national team, and that he even took painkillers to play against Bulgaria and Turkey.

“This is not taking care of players,” Flick said after the games.

Asked about Spain’s handling of the situation on Friday, De la Fuente said: “Here, we take zero risks. Whoever comes in, comes in healthy, fit to play. And when they go back home, it is because we have judged there was a risk in staying with us.

“I always tell the truth. What happened was, when the (Turkey) game ended, he had a bit of an issue. But I don’t pick players who are carrying an injury. Our medical services have explained it, I have explained it. If he had an issue after the game, I don’t know.