FC Barcelona Reaches Vital Agreement On Lamine And Cubarsi ...

FC Barcelona has reached a vital agreement with the Spanish Football Federation regarding its La ... [+] Masia graduates Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.

FC Barcelona has reached a vital agreement with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) regarding its La Masia graduates Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.

After breaking through to the Barca first team this season, and becoming regular starters under head coach Xavi Hernandez, Lamine and Cubarsi - aged 16 and 17 respectively - are prime suspects to represent Spain at the Euros and Olympics this summer.

The Catalans' Sporting Director Deco made his thoughts clear on this potential development during an appearance on the Que T'hi Juegues program, however.

"We don't want any player to go to the European Championship and the Games. The [Spanish Football] federation knows that, but you have to talk to the players and manage it," Deco said.

Then in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Lamine confessed that he didn't think it would be "sensible" to play both tournaments.

"It wouldn't be sensible to go to both because in the end, since I've been a starter, it's been about not being burdened and playing too much and it wouldn't make sense," Lamine said.

"But obviously if I have to go, in the end you're playing for Spain and it's a dream," he also added.

Lamine cited Pedri's case as a cautionary tale of how things can go wrong when young players are overloaded.

The midfielder had a breakout season in 2020/2021 and then played both the Euros and Olympics.

Ever since then, Pedri has failed to star in more than 50% of Barca's matches per term with injuries - and in particular thigh knocks - often keeping him sidelined.

With this in mind, Barca wants to avoid a potential repeat with Lamine and Cubarsi, and has reached an agreement with the RFEF on the matter.

In short, both youngsters should only head to the Euros in Germany and the Paris 2024 Olympics if their participation in the former tournament has been "minimal".

If they have been protagonists on German soil, however, "the Federation will not even consider them going to the Olympic Games" according to SPORT.

Such a development will allow the teenagers to rejoin Xavi Hernandez's squad in the best possible shape, and perhaps even make a preseason tour of the United States.