How bad is Lamine Yamal’s injury? Will he make Spain’s World Cup opener? | World Cup 2026 News
Lamine Yamal’s Domestic Season Ends, but He Expects to Play in World Cup
Barcelona FC has confirmed that forward Lamine Yamal will not return for the remainder of the domestic season due to a hamstring injury. The 18-year-old player is, however, expected to be fit to represent Spain at this summer’s World Cup.
Yamal played a vital role in securing Spain’s Euro 2024 championship and contributed to Barcelona’s La Liga title last season. This season, his club leads La Liga with a nine-point margin over Real Madrid, although they will need to continue their title defense without Yamal.
Yamal’s injury occurred during a La Liga match against Celta Vigo on April 22. After converting a penalty to give Barcelona a 1-0 lead, he fell to the ground in apparent distress and was promptly substituted.
Following the match, speculation arose about the severity of his injury, with concerns it could affect his World Cup participation. Barcelona’s official statement on April 23 confirmed that Yamal sustained a hamstring injury to his left leg, specifically affecting the biceps femoris muscle. The club announced that Yamal would no longer play for Barcelona this season but could return for the World Cup.
The team’s medical report indicated that recovery from such injuries can vary, with timeframes between one week and six months. Yamal’s treatment plan will be conservative, as he is expected to miss the remaining six matches of La Liga.
Spain’s World Cup campaign begins on June 11, with their first match against Cape Verde on June 15. Given this timeline, it remains uncertain whether Yamal will be ready for the opener.
Yamal emerged as a significant figure for the Spanish national team during the Euro 2024 tournament. Despite his youth, he has already scored six goals in 25 international appearances.
In a statement on social media, Yamal expressed his disappointment, saying, “This injury is keeping me off the pitch just when I wanted to be there the most… I’ll be there, even if it’s from the sidelines, supporting, cheering and pushing them on… This isn’t the end; it’s just a break.”
This season, Yamal has shown impressive form, netting 24 goals for Barcelona, including a pivotal strike against Celta Vigo. He contributed to Barcelona’s narrow La Liga victory last year, where the competition with Real Madrid concluded with a mere four-point difference.
