FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has slammed the Spanish national team's handling of Lamine Yamal's groin injury.

The 18-year-old star went to Spain camp managing the injury, but he still started in World Cup qualifying wins against Bulgaria and Turkey.

Spain hammered Turkey 6-0 on Sunday before cruising past Bulgaria 3-0 on Thursday.

Yamal returned to Barcelona with the injury having worsened. The forward has now been ruled out for Barca's league bout at home against Valencia on Sunday. He may also miss the club's first Champions League match on Thursday, when the Blaugrana travel to St. James' Park to take on Newcastle.

"Lamine goes to the national team with pain, didn't train, had painkillers to play, they were three goals ahead in every match, and he played 79 and 73 minutes," Flick said during a press conference on Saturday.

"Between the matches he didn't train. This is not taking care of players. Spain have the best team in the world, in every position they are unbelievably good. I am really sad about this."

The 18-year-old has had a prolific start to the season, notching eight goal contributions (two goals and six assists) across all competitions for club and country. As a result, his absence will provide a huge gap on the right side, even if the injury spell is short-term.

During the press conference, Flick also mentioned how the communication between him and Spanish national team manager Luis de la Fuente could improve.

"Normally, the communication, because we have more players there than just Lamine, could be better. I was also on this side (referring to his previous tenure as manager of the German national team), so I know how hard this job sometimes is, but the communication with the clubs was always good."

The reigning La Liga champions have accumulated seven points in their first three matches (2W-1D-0L). Currently, they sit five points behind rivals Real Madrid, who have won all four of their league matches under new manager Xabi Alonso.

This article originally appeared on Pro Soccer Wire: Barcelona coach Flick furious over Spain's handling of Yamal injury

Reporting by Jonathan Abraham, Pro Soccer Wire / Pro Soccer Wire

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