(Lamine Yamal. Photo Credit: AI Jazeera)
Lamine Yamal of Spain has suffered a hamstring injury but is expected to be fine for the World Cup, his club Barcelona confirmed on Thursday.
“Tests have confirmed that first-team player Lamine Yamal has a hamstring injury in his left leg,” Barca reported.
“The athlete will receive conservative therapy. Lamine Yamal will miss the remainder of the season but is anticipated to be available for the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19 this year.
Spain begins their campaign in Group H against Cape Verde on June 15, then faces Saudi Arabia on June 21 and Uruguay six days later.
Yamal suffered the injury during Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo in La Liga on Wednesday.
“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,” Yamal posted on social media.
“This is not the end; it is simply a respite. I’ll come back stronger and more determined than before, and the next season will be better.”
The teenage Spain star, who has six goals in 25 national team appearances since his debut in 2023, won and converted a penalty to secure a tight home victory over Celta.
However, after beating Ionut Radu with a low penalty, Yamal pulled up hurt, screaming for medical attention and lying on the turf as his teammates gathered to celebrate.
“He wouldn’t leave the pitch without a reason,” stated Barcelona coach Hansi Flick. “As a coach, you have to deal with it. It’s a shame Lamine is injured now.”
Barcelona’s victory put them nine points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the league, with six games remaining, including a Clasico on May 10.
Yamal is the club’s top scorer with 24 goals this season, despite missing games in September and October due to a groin injury.
He was a key member of Spain’s Euro 2024 winning team and expressed his excitement for the World Cup earlier this week.
“Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve dreamed of playing in a World Cup, seeing my mother in the stands, and representing my country,” Yamal said at the Laureus World Sports Awards.
“These two months will seem very short to me and I hope we’ll finish as champions.”
Even though he is not yet totally healthy, he is expected to make manager Luis de la Fuente’s final roster.
Yamal joins Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, and Nico Williams as crucial Spain internationals who have been sidelined or are on their way back to full fitness.
However, due to the high danger of exacerbating the injury, the 18-year-old may be rested at the start of the competition.