Spain’s National Team Faces Its Deepest Crisis Since 2010
The dressing room of Spain’s senior football team is facing its most severe internal crisis since the post–2010 World Cup era. Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid captain and Spain’s unquestioned right-back, has publicly detonated a bombshell against one of his national teammates.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Marca after the morning session in Las Rozas, the Sevilla-born defender didn’t mince words:
“I’d rather sit on the bench all year than play a single minute alongside him again. Every time I see him on the pitch, I feel like I’m betraying my career and my honor.”
Although Carvajal didn’t mention a name, speculation immediately centered on FC Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal.
The Context: Fallout After El Clásico
The explosive comments come just two days after a heated Clásico and amid controversy surrounding suspensions for Carvajal and Vinícius. But this time, the tension extends far beyond club rivalry — it’s a national team rift that threatens to tear apart Spain’s European champion project.
The Spark: A Leaked WhatsApp Message
According to sources close to the coaching staff, the dispute began in the team’s internal WhatsApp group — created to manage logistics during the November training camp. Yamal reportedly shared a meme mocking Carvajal’s missed penalty against Italy at Euro 2024, which Spain ultimately won. The message, captioned “Even the captain misses 😴,” enraged Carvajal, who responded with a 42-second voice note that leaked online hours later:
“Listen, kid — I’ve won everything in this shirt while you were still in school. Show respect or leave. I won’t share the pitch with someone who laughs at his teammates.”
The audio went viral within the hour. A shaken Yamal left the national camp without authorization and returned to Barcelona that same night. Barcelona then issued a statement declaring:
“The club fully supports Lamine Yamal and condemns any form of harassment or intimidation within the national team.”
De la Fuente Intervenes: Emergency Meeting and Unprecedented Action
Coach Luis de la Fuente called an emergency meeting Tuesday night at 10:00 p.m. at the team hotel. Present were Carvajal, Yamal (via Zoom from Barcelona), Rodri Hernández as deputy captain, and senior players Álvaro Morata and Mikel Merino as mediators.
Witnesses described an intense confrontation: Carvajal reportedly stood firm on his “either him or me” ultimatum, while Yamal, visibly emotional, replied:
“I’m not a kid — I’m a professional. If they don’t want me here, I’ll walk away.”
By 11:47 p.m., De la Fuente appeared before the press to announce an extraordinary measure — the temporary division of the squad and training schedule.
Starting with the next call-up (November 7 vs. Cyprus), the squad will operate in two separate groups:
- Group A (Carvajal’s group): veterans and players from Real Madrid, Atlético, and Real Sociedad.
- Group B (led by Pedri): younger and Barcelona-based players, including Yamal and Nico Williams.
Both units will train at different times, dine separately, and only come together for official matches.
“This is a temporary decision to preserve team unity,” De la Fuente explained. “No one has been expelled, but we will not force cohabitation that breeds toxicity. The goal is the 2026 World Cup — not internal battles.”
Reactions: Football World Divided
Real Madrid: President Florentino Pérez voiced his support for Carvajal — “Dani represents the values of both club and country. No player stands above the badge.”
FC Barcelona: Joan Laporta responded swiftly — “We will protect Lamine just as we protected Leo. If the federation fails to ensure his safety, we’ll explore legal action.”
RFEF: President Luis Rubiales announced an internal review but stopped short of sanctions: “Spanish football cannot afford to lose either player.”
Players: Rodri Hernández, 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, urged unity on Instagram: “We are family. This hurts, but we’ll fix it.” Gavi, meanwhile, posted a 🤐 emoji on his story — widely interpreted as siding with Yamal.
A Painful Echo of the Past
This isn’t the first time Spain’s national team has fractured along club lines. In 2009, tensions between Barça and Madrid split the locker room, culminating in the famous “Valdés-Busquets vs. Ramos-Casillas” feud. Then, coach Vicente del Bosque defused the situation through personal talks. De la Fuente’s solution — physical separation — is a historic first that could reshape Spain’s future.
The Road Ahead
At 33, with a surgically repaired knee, Carvajal knows this could be his final major tournament. Yamal, only 17, represents Spain’s future. Between them lies a generational chasm that De la Fuente is struggling to bridge with separate dressing rooms and schedules.
Spain’s next match is set for November 15 in Nicosia, where a victory would secure a World Cup berth. Yet one question hangs over the squad:
Can 22 divided players truly fight for the same jersey?
Meanwhile, in Valdebebas and Ciutat Esportiva, coaches are preparing tactics — and psychologists. Because come November, La Roja won’t just face Cyprus… it will face itself.
