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Spain’s forward #19 Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Nations League league phase group A3 football match between Spain and Croatia at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville on September 29, 2026. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP via Getty Images)
Jason Pettigrove Jason Pettigrove has been the writer-at-large for Barca Blaugranes for many years. He has previously worked for FC Barcelona, beIN Sports and many other news and media outlets, both in print and digital. When not working, he’ll be found in front of the TV watching Barça.
The first international break of the season always seems to be the most pointless.
With players only just getting into a rhythm, the break comes at precisely the wrong time, and if players come back injured, right on top of the resumption of the Champions League, that’s another blow to their clubs at a vital part of the campaign.
Take this particular break. Brazil travelling all the way to Australia for friendly games. Really?!
Raphinha’s injury is hopefully not serious, but that’s hardly the point. A squad containing many European-based colleagues have been forced, once again, to travel to the other side of the world for what? For a totally meaningless set of matches.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Raphael Dias Belloli of Brazil shoots at goal during the international friendly match between Australia Socceroos and Brazil at Suncorp Stadium on September 29, 2026 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Raphael Dias Belloli of Brazil shoots at goal during the international friendly match between Australia Socceroos and Brazil at Suncorp Stadium on September 29, 2026 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Of course, the players themselves are just pawns in the wider game. That of lining the pockets of those who remain in charge of the best sport in the world.
Never mind that players are being flogged to all corners of the planet at every possible opportunity, as long as it’s oiling the wheels of the money-making machine.
Culers can only hope that by the time Raphinha returns, his muscular discomfort hasn’t caused any further issues which could sideline him for any length of time.
The flip side of the break is that there will be those players who seize the opportunity to shine, and no one has done that better than Lamine Yamal.
SEVILLE, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 29: Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Spain and Croatia at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on September 29, 2026 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
A goal in the second minute against both England and Croatia, another goal for good measure against the latter and also an assist…
The goals came as Yamal is being tipped to win the Ballon d’Or next month. After losing out to Ousmane Dembele last year, there are genuine reasons to believe that Lamine might be able to go one better this time.
At the tender age of just 19, he’s ripping up the record books virtually every time he puts a pair of boots on, and whilst Dembele can celebrate another Champions League triumph, Lamine can look to a World Cup triumph, and being the fulcrum in Barca’s title win last season, as reasons why he has to remain in the conversation at the very least.
Regardless of whether he wins or not, it’s been fantastic to see him expressing himself so brilliantly against the best that Europe has to offer and played with a smile on his face once again.
After a slow-ish (by his own lofty standards) start to his season, he’s already a shining light for club and country, and long may that continue.
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