Spain's Lamine Yamal suffered a hamstring injury during Barcelona's 1-0 La Liga victory over Celta Vigo but is expected to recover in time for the World Cup. The 17-year-old winger scored the winning goal from a penalty before pulling up in pain moments after the kick. Barcelona confirmed that Yamal sustained a left leg hamstring injury and will miss the remainder of the season. He is set to undergo conservative treatment with the aim of being ready for the World Cup, which begins on June 11.
Yamal had just converted a 67th-minute penalty to secure the win when he immediately called for medical attention and lay on the pitch as teammates celebrated. He was replaced by Roony Bardghji shortly after. Despite the injury, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed confidence in the recovery timeline. "He wouldn't leave the pitch without reason," Flick said. "It's a pity that Lamine is injured now."
The club's win extended their lead over Real Madrid to nine points with six games left, including the upcoming Clasico on May 10. Yamal, Barcelona's top scorer this season with 24 goals, had previously missed matches due to a groin injury in September and October. He has scored six goals in 25 appearances for Spain since his 2023 debut and played a key role in their Euro 2024 triumph. Spain will open their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on June 15, followed by matches against Saudi Arabia on June 21 and Uruguay on June 27.
"Ever since I was a little boy, I've dreamed of playing in a World Cup, of seeing my mum in the stands, of representing the national team," Yamal said earlier this week at the Laureus World Sports Awards. "This injury is going to keep me off the pitch just when I wanted to be there the most, and that hurts even more than I can put into words," he later posted on social media. "This isn't the end; it's just a break. I'll come back stronger."
Lamine Yamal's season-ending injury strikes just after he delivered a decisive goal for Barcelona, exposing the fine line between triumph and setback. His absence for the rest of the club campaign but expected availability for the World Cup shifts focus from immediate recovery to long-term international expectations. Yamal's emotional response underscores the personal weight of missing action at a moment of peak form. His role in Spain's Euro 2024 win and World Cup dreams make his fitness a critical narrative for the national team.
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