Barcelona are treading carefully with their teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, and they've made it crystal clear to Spain's football federation: handle with care ahead of this summer's World Cup.

The 17-year-old forward is currently sidelined with a fresh injury and may not feature again this season for the Catalan club. While he's expected to recover in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barcelona are taking no chances with their most prized asset.

According to reports from SPORT, the club has been in constant dialogue with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over Yamal's fitness management. His participation in the tournament isn't in doubt, but Barcelona want assurances that he won't be rushed back too quickly.

The Catalans are demanding extreme caution during the early stages of the competition, insisting there should be no exposure to unnecessary risk. This stance comes from a place of experience—Barcelona have seen young talents pushed too hard under international pressure before, and they're determined not to let history repeat itself.

Thankfully, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has responded positively to the club's concerns. The plan is to use Yamal selectively during the group stage, gradually building his match fitness before unleashing him in the knockout rounds when it matters most.

For Barcelona, the bigger picture is simple: they need Yamal fully fit for next season. With ambitions to dominate Spanish football and reclaim the UEFA Champions League, the club knows that protecting their star forward now is an investment in future glory.