Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal is set to miss the remainder of the domestic season after sustaining a significant hamstring injury, though medical staff expect the 18-year-old to recover in time for Spain’s World Cup campaign.
The injury occurred during Wednesday’s 1–0 victory over Celta Vigo. Shortly after converting a penalty in the 40th minute to give Barcelona the lead, Yamal signaled to the bench and collapsed, clutching his left leg. He was assisted off the pitch by medical personnel and underwent immediate evaluation.
On Thursday, Barcelona confirmed that Yamal will follow a conservative treatment plan.
While the injury concludes his club season, the official statement noted that he is expected to return in time for the World Cup.
The young star shared his frustration regarding the timing of the injury via an Instagram post:”This injury leaves me off the field at the time I most wanted to be, and it hurts more than I can explain. It hurts not being able to fight with my teammates… but I believe in them. This is not the end, this is just a break. I’ll come back stronger.”
The injury comes at a critical juncture for both club and country. The reigning La Liga champions currently hold a nine-point lead over Real Madrid. They face their rivals on May 10 in one of their final six league fixtures.
The national team is scheduled to begin its World Cup journey in Group H. Their opening match against Cape Verde is set for June 15, followed by group stage fixtures against Saudi Arabia on June 21 and Uruguay on June 27.
Yamal’s recovery will be closely monitored by the Spanish national team’s technical staff, as the forward is considered a cornerstone of their offensive strategy heading into the tournament.