Spain national team manager Luis de la Fuente has sent a strong and unexpected message to one of Barcelona’s key players, urging him to leave the club immediately if he wants to safeguard his place in the World Cup squad.
The warning comes amid the player’s dramatic fall in status under Hansi Flick, where he has gone from being an untouchable starter last season to a frequent substitute this term.
De la Fuente’s words were direct and uncompromising: “Escape Flick’s hell immediately… or pay the price at the World Cup!” His statement highlights growing concerns that the lack of regular playing time could severely damage the player’s international prospects, especially with the World Cup approaching.
For Spain, consistency and form at club level play a major role in squad selection, and de la Fuente’s intervention underlines just how serious the situation has become. The Barcelona star, once considered an automatic starter for both club and country, now faces a crucial decision about his future.
If he stays and continues to struggle for minutes, he risks missing out on the World Cup entirely. If he departs, he could revive his career in time to be a central figure for Spain on the world’s biggest stage.
