Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has sparked amusement with a tongue-in-cheek comment about Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal's unexpected withdrawal from the Spanish national squad, just weeks before their crucial Champions League encounter.
International Duty Controversy
The Spanish Football Federation has expressed significant concern after Yamal pulled out of international duty ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey. The 18-year-old winger underwent what has been described as an 'invasive radiofrequency procedure' to address groin discomfort, a treatment the Spanish FA claims it was unaware of prior to his withdrawal.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente voiced his surprise, stating: "I had never experienced a situation like that. I don't think it's very normal. You don't know, you haven't heard anything, you don't know any details, and then they tell you about health issues. You're left surprised."
Cucurella's Lighthearted Take
Cucurella, who would have been Yamal's international teammate during the break, joked about the situation when speaking to media. "I think Lamine left the Spanish national team camp because I told him how I'm going to start my homework here during the training sessions," the Chelsea defender quipped.
Despite the humorous remark, Cucurella acknowledged the seriousness of injury concerns. "Ultimately, it's a complicated issue. I have teammates at Chelsea with groin problems, and it's difficult. It will be a significant loss. We would have liked him to be here with us to celebrate qualifying for the World Cup, but the important thing is that he recovers well."
Champions League Showdown Approaches
The two European giants are set to face each other at Stamford Bridge on November 25 in what promises to be a blockbuster Champions League encounter under the lights. Both teams currently sit level on points in their group, each recording two wins, one draw, and one loss in the competition so far.
This will be the first meeting between the clubs since the 2017/18 season, when Barcelona emerged victorious with a 4-1 aggregate score across two legs, though Chelsea managed a 1-1 draw at home during that campaign.
Cucurella had previously acknowledged Yamal's threat, describing him as the 'hardest winger to stop' in current football. "He's a very skillful player; you never know what he's going to do to you. It'll be a tough match, but I'll try to make things as difficult as possible for him," the Chelsea defender admitted.
Yamal's availability for the crucial match appears likely, with medical reports indicating a 7-10 day recovery period. The young star demonstrated his fitness by scoring in Barcelona's 4-2 victory over Celta Vigo last Sunday before being substituted in injury time.
Chelsea will first focus on their Premier League fixture against Burnley following the international break before turning their attention to the European spectacle at Stamford Bridge.
