Key Takeaways
- Lamine Yamal pulled his hamstring after scoring the only goal from the spot against Celta Vigo.
- Early fears suggest the 18-year-old could sit out the rest of Barcelona’s season and Spain’s World Cup campaign.
- Scans on Thursday will show how long the winger will be away from the pitch.
Lamine Yamal left the pitch in tears on Wednesday night after converting a penalty that gave Barcelona a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo. Club doctors believe the 18-year-old has torn his hamstring and will run tests on Thursday to learn the full damage.
If the worst is confirmed, the winger will miss the last six La Liga games and could also lose his place in Spain’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off in June across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Team-mate Pedri tried to lift the youngster after the final whistle. “We all hope it is a small problem,” the midfielder said. “Lamine is still very young, so he must stay calm and trust the doctors.”
Barcelona also lost João Cancelo to a muscle issue in the first half, adding to coach Hansi Flick’s injury list. Goalkeeper Joan García added: “We need both players back quickly, but their health comes first.”
Before the setback, Yamal had scored 24 goals and set up 17 more in all competitions this season, helping the Catalans open a nine-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table. Even without their star teenager, Barça remain strong favourites to defend their league crown with only six rounds left.
