Lamine Yamal suffers a serious thigh muscle tear, and the 18-year-old now faces a race against time to feature in this summer’s World Cup.
Yamal Limps Off After Scoring, Faces Long Layoff
Initial examinations on Wednesday evening reveal a torn thigh muscle, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
The Barcelona attacking star faces a minimum five-to-six-week layoff, and a slower recovery could sideline him even longer.
This timeline rules Yamal out for the remainder of the domestic season and casts serious doubt over his participation in the World Cup. Medical staff will conduct further tests on Thursday.
The bizarre injury occurred during Barcelona’s league match against Celta Vigo. In the 40th minute, Yamal converts a penalty he won himself to put Barca ahead a goal that ultimately seals the 1-0 victory.
But instead of celebrating, he immediately signals to the substitutes’ bench that something is wrong. He then drops to the pitch as his bewildered teammates gather around him.
Barcelona’s medical team rushes on to treat the teenager, who limps off straight down the tunnel, visibly disappointed. Roony Bardghji replaces him.
The timing couldn’t be worse. The World Cup kicks off in the USA, Canada and Mexico exactly seven weeks from now.
Spain opens its campaign against Cape Verde on June 15, just four days after the tournament’s curtain-raiser between Mexico and South Africa.
Barcelona still holds a healthy advantage over Real Madrid in the LaLiga title race, but several crucial matches remain, including the Clásico in May.
Losing Yamal for the run-in deals a significant blow to their push for a second consecutive crown.
For Spain, the prospect of entering a World Cup without their brightest young star looms as a devastating worst-case scenario.
