Lamine Yamal could be facing a race against time to be fit for the 2026 World Cup after suffering a suspected hamstring injury during FC Barcelona’s narrow 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo, MySportDab Reports.
The 18-year-old forward delivered the decisive moment of the match on Wednesday night, calmly converting a penalty he won himself, what should have been a moment of celebration quickly turned into concern, as Yamal immediately signaled to the bench in discomfort and collapsed to the turf without celebrating his goal.
He was later forced off before halftime, visibly struggling as he made his way down the tunnel.
Initial reports have raised fears of a hamstring tear, although the full extent of the injury is yet to be confirmed.
According to ESPN journalist Gemma Soler, early indications suggest the issue could sideline the teenager for several weeks, with a more severe tear potentially ruling him out for the remainder of the season and jeopardizing his participation in the World Cup.
Barcelona are expected to conduct further medical tests to determine the severity of the problem, but there is already growing concern that Yamal may miss the club’s final six matches of the campaign.
Despite holding a commanding nine-point lead over Real Madrid in the La Liga title race, losing their most influential attacker at this stage would still represent a significant setback.
The youngster is also highly unlikely to feature in the season’s final El Clásico clash against Real Madrid, scheduled for May 10 at Camp Nou.
While Barcelona appear on course to secure back-to-back league titles, attention is already shifting toward Yamal’s recovery timeline and whether he can return in time for international duty.
Manager Hansi Flick admitted after the match that there is genuine concern surrounding the injury, noting that the player would not have left the pitch unless the issue was serious. He added that the club must wait for further tests before making any definitive assessment.
Teammate Gavi also highlighted the emotional impact of the situation, revealing that Yamal was deeply upset in the dressing room after the match. He emphasized how crucial the teenager has become to the team and expressed hope that the injury is not as severe as feared.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente will be closely monitoring developments, with Yamal widely expected to play a key role in the country’s World Cup campaign.
With just over seven weeks until Spain’s opening match, the young star now faces a crucial recovery period that could define his availability for the tournament.
For now, both club and country remain in suspense as they await the results of further medical examinations, hoping for positive news on one of football’s brightest young talents.
