Lamine Yamal suffered a hamstring injury while scoring the winning goal for FC Barcelona in their 1-0 La Liga victory over Celta Vigo on Wednesday, bringing his domestic season to an early end but leaving his availability for the World Cup uncertain.
The 18-year-old won and converted a penalty in the 40th minute, but immediately went down clutching his left hamstring instead of celebrating. Early scans confirmed a hamstring injury in his left leg, specifically affecting the biceps femoris muscle.
Barcelona confirmed that Yamal will miss the remainder of the season and will undergo a conservative recovery programme. However, the club also indicated that he is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup in North America.
Manager Hansi Flick admitted there was initial uncertainty following the match.
“We have to wait and see what it is. He felt something, and after the goal he would not leave the pitch without reason. Hopefully it’s not too bad,” he said.
Teammate Pedri also expressed optimism about the recovery timeline.
“Hopefully Lamine will only be out for a few weeks. He needs to stay calm — he will recover well,” he said.
Yamal’s goal was his 16th in 28 league appearances this season and his 24th in 45 games in all competitions, securing Barcelona’s win and extending their lead at the top of La Liga to nine points over Real Madrid.
Despite the setback, Barcelona remain firmly on course for the title, though Yamal’s absence will be felt during the closing stages of the campaign, including upcoming fixtures and the season finale.
For Spain national football team, the injury has raised concern ahead of the World Cup, where Yamal is expected to play a key role. Spain begin their Group H campaign on 15 June 2026 against Cape Verde in Atlanta, followed by matches against Saudi Arabia on 21 June and Uruguay on 26 June.
Yamal, who was instrumental in Spain’s triumph at UEFA Euro 2024, has already established himself as one of their most important attacking players, scoring six goals in 25 international appearances.
With the tournament approaching, Spain will now closely monitor his recovery, hoping the injury does not disrupt his debut World Cup campaign.
