Several FC Barcelona players who were called up by Luis de la Fuente for this November international break remained in Madrid after their 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano as they were set to join the national team camp in the Spanish capital.
However, Lamine Yamal, who has been a mainstay for La Roja for the last few years, was not among these players. He was suffering from some discomfort following the game on Sunday, and thus travelled back to the Catalan capital to undergo tests. Following these tests, it was decided that he would not join the national team for now, but can join de la Fuente’s squad later in this international break.
Meanwhile, as [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20261110/1004249517/fuente-messi-cristiano-ejemplos-rendimiento-comportamiento-deportividad.html) has reported, the Spanish national team coach appeared in an interview with EFE and praised [Lionel Messi](https://barcanewsnetwork.com/three-barcelona-players-make-fifpro-world-11-alongside-lionel-messi/) and Cristiano Ronaldo for their longevity and unlimited drive. While talking about these legends, he highlighted Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal as their successors, and also had some advice and a lot of praise for the Barcelona youngster:
**“He’s a very mature young man for his age, but he needs us to support him, just like any other young player of his age who is still developing. He’s aware of that. In private, he shows you the maturity I’m talking about, but outside that environment, he also needs to protect himself and stand up for himself against everything going on around him.**
**And he does that very well. I admire him because it’s not easy for a 19-year-old to handle the media pressure he’s been under since the age of 16. It’s extremely difficult. Yet he does it with tremendous naturalness. We have to tell him to keep growing, improving and working as he does. That way, all the doors will remain open for him to become a legendary footballer.”**
Luis de la Fuente’s advice makes a lot of sense, as celebrities like Lamine Yamal are constantly exposed to the harmful effects of media at all times. He has managed this aspect of his life quite remarkably so far, and hopefully, the Barcelona star will continue to manage all aspects of his life to have a successful career like those of Messi and Ronaldo.