Barcelona winger Yamal a doubt for Newcastle tie

Lamine Yamal helped Spain win Euro 2024

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is a doubt for the Champions League game at Newcastle United - and his manager Hansi Flick has criticised Spain's treatment of the 18-year-old.

Yamal played for his country in a 3-0 win in Bulgaria and 6-0 victory in Turkey during the recent international break.

The forward did not take part in Barcelona's first-team training on Saturday because of a groin injury, and has been ruled out of Sunday's league game against Valencia before the visit to Newcastle on Thursday.

"Lamine will not be available [against Valencia] - it's a pity," said Flick. "He played with the national team despite pain.

"He had problems, played 79 and 73 minutes, and didn't even train between matches because of this pain. That is not really taking care of the players, is it? It is not.

"Spain, they have the best team in the world, best players in the world. In every position they are unbelievably good.

"So, maybe they will also want to take care of our players, our young players, but it's like they are doing this [to them]. This is what I can say and I'm really sad about this."

Barcelona's press officer later said Yamal had "discomfort in his pubic bone" and "is doubtful for Newcastle".

Flick, who was previously Germany manager, said he had contacted Spain coach Luis de la Fuente by text message but there was room for improvement in their communication.

"I was also on this side, as a national team coach. I know how hard sometimes the job is," added Flick.

"I never spoke - I have had one conversation via text but I never spoke with him. My Spanish is not good, his English is not good, so maybe this is a problem.

"But in the end I think the communication - because we have not only one player there, we have many players there - it could be better."

No date for Nou Camp reopening

Barcelona will host Valencia at their 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff training ground as redevelopment work at the Nou Camp has not been completed.

The La Liga champions have been playing at Olympic Stadium in Montjuic for the past two seasons.

Barcelona have said they are "working intensively to obtain the necessary administrative permits for the opening" of the Nou Camp "in the coming weeks", but a reopening date has not been confirmed.

"I spoke with the players, the captains, and they said it will not affect us," said Flick.

"When we play at the new Camp Nou, 105,000 [capacity], maybe it's a little bit different to playing at the Johan.

"As I said before it's not an excuse, I will not use it - Valencia also has to play in this stadium."