Lamine Yamal has sparked fresh injury concerns for FC Barcelona after limping off during the La Liga match against Celta Vigo, clouding both his club record and international ambitions. The 18-year-old’s early exit has now raised doubts over his availability for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Barcelona maintained their lead at the top of the table with a narrow win, but the result was overshadowed by Yamal’s injury. Widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in world football, the teenager had just given his team the lead before being forced off the pitch.
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Head coach Hansi Flick confirmed that the club is still awaiting clarification on the severity of the injury.
“We have to wait until tomorrow. We have to see what it is. I think it’s something because he felt it and I think even after scoring a goal he wouldn’t leave the pitch for no reason. Of course it’s a shame that Lamine is injured now,” said Flick.
Concerns within the team were also evident, with teammate Gavi emphasizing how important Yamal had become.
“For me, Lamine is the best. Of course, it’s a bad situation for us because he’s a very important player for us. He was very upset in the dressing room because he knows how key he is for us. I don’t know how long the injury will last, but I hope it will be as short as possible,” said Gavi.
HOW DID LAMINE YAMAL GET INJURED?
Yamal’s injury came at what should have been a climactic moment. He won and converted a penalty at the end of the first half to calmly put Barcelona ahead.
However, immediately after hitting the ball, he got up and grabbed the back of his left leg. The striker fell to the ground in discomfort, even as his teammates approached to celebrate.
Medics attended to him on the field, but it quickly became clear that he would not be able to continue. Yamal left on his own before heading straight down the tunnel rather than staying on the bench, raising further concerns about the severity of the problem.
Initial reports suggested a possible hamstring injury, with early assessments suggesting a muscle tear in his left leg.
WILL LAMINE YAMAL MISS THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP?
If the hamstring tear is diagnosed early, Yamal could be sidelined for around five weeks. That timeline would effectively rule him out of Barcelona’s remaining games this season, including the highly anticipated El Clasico against Real Madrid.
More importantly, it puts his participation in the World Cup in serious doubt. The tournament is set to start on June 11 and there is very little time left for recovery if the injury proves to be serious.
Yamal was expected to be one of Spain’s key players heading into the tournament, having already established himself as a regular at just 18 years of age. He played a vital role in Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024 and has quickly become one of the most exciting young talents in world football.
Barcelona and Spain will wait for further medical tests, but early signs suggest it is a race against time for one of their most important players.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
23 Apr 2026 08:51 IST
