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Lamine Yamal in Spain squad but no Real players

S
SoccerPortalX Editorial
·May 25, 2026·2 min read

Spain's national team has made a surprising selection decision by including injured Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal in their World Cup squad while notably excluding all Real Madrid players. This unusua...

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Spain's national team has made a surprising selection decision by including injured Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal in their World Cup squad while notably excluding all Real Madrid players. This unusual omission of Real Madrid—traditionally a major source of talent for La Roja—signals a significant shift in the team's composition and raises questions about the selection criteria used by the coaching staff.

The inclusion of Yamal despite his injury status suggests the Spanish federation is banking on his recovery before the tournament begins. Yamal has been a breakout talent for Barcelona, and selectors clearly believe he'll be fit enough to contribute. However, his injury status adds an element of risk to the squad planning, as the team may need to rely on backup options if he doesn't recover in time.

The absence of Real Madrid players is the story's most striking element, given the club's dominance in European football and historical importance to Spain's squad depth. This could reflect either a deliberate tactical shift toward Barcelona's style of play or indicate that Real Madrid's current roster doesn't align with the coach's vision. Watch for how Spain performs in the tournament and whether Yamal's fitness becomes a deciding factor in their campaign.

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