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Lamine Yamal will miss the remainder of Barcelona’s season but is expected to be recovered from a leg injury in time to play for Spain at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the club announced on Thursday.
Barcelona said Yamal, 18, would miss the leaders’ remaining six La Liga matches as he undergoes a “conservative treatment” process to heal a left leg muscle injury he picked up on Wednesday while converting a penalty in a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo.
The club added in a statement that its doctors “anticipate that [Yamal] will be available for the World Cup.”
Yamal is expected to make his World Cup debut this summer. Spain’s campaign begins against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta.
Yamal has become one of the world’s best players since making his debut for Barcelona at the age of a record 15. He helped Spain win the 2024 European Championship and is one of the main reasons Luis de la Fuente’s side are among the favorites this summer thanks to his dribbling, creativity and ability to score and set up teammates.
Yamal went down after scoring the winner against Celta in the 40th minute and immediately turned to the bench to signal he was injured. He fell to the ground as his teammates arrived to celebrate, then appeared to grab the back of his left leg.
Yamal left the field on his own after being treated by doctors. He spoke briefly with coach Hansi Flick on the sidelines before entering the locker room tunnel alone.
Barcelona lead Real Madrid by nine points with two more rounds before they meet at the Camp Nou on May 10.
Barcelona will begin their run without Yamal on Saturday when they visit Getafe. Flick could replace Yamal on the right side with winger Roony Bardghji or mix up his front line and play with an extra midfielder.
Yamal leads Barcelona in goals (24) and assists (18) in all competitions.
Associated Press reporting.
