FC Barcelona secured another LaLiga victory on Wednesday, beating Celta Vigo 1-0. However, it didn’t come without some horrible news.
Youngster Lamine Yamal converted Barca’s only goal from the penalty spot in the 40th minute, but immediately went down in severe pain. The Spain international ultimately signaled to be substituted as Roony Bardghji came on to replace him.
Now, ESPN FC’s Gemma Soler is reporting that Yamal has suffered a partially torn left hamstring, which is likely to rule him out for the rest of the season. Yamal is also likely to miss the beginning of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, if not longer.
A Brutal Blow For Barcelona and Lamine Yamal
Barcelona’s Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal demands medical attention after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 22 , 2026. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP via Getty Images)
Barca may be out of the Champions League after their shock defeat in the quarterfinals at the hands of rivals Atletico Madrid, but they still remain nine points clear in the LaLiga title race above Real Madrid. The final El Clasico of the campaign is on May 10.
While it feels like a foregone conclusion that the Catalans will lift the grand prize, barring a complete collapse, losing their best player is not ideal. Yamal has emerged as one of the brightest talents in world football at just 18 years of age.
Yamal has bagged 16 goals and tallied 11 assists in league play, and he also had six goals and another four assists in the Champions League. His importance to Barcelona is unmatched, and it would also be shame if the world couldn’t see him showcase his abilities on the global stage.
A Serious Concern For Spain
Yamal starred in the last European Championships for Spain at just 16, scoring one of the goals of the tournament and helping Spain lift the trophy. He is already the face of the Spanish National Team, and this injury throws a real wrench into their plans for him.
Reports indicate that Yamal will undergo further testing on Thursday to determine the true extent of the injury, but the recovery time for a partially torn hamstring typically ranges from 4 to 6 weeks. That means he’d likely be ready to suit up again at the end of the LaLiga campaign, but if Barca have the title wrapped up, as they should, the club wouldn’t rush Yamal back.
Plus, he would need to build up to match fitness again, and that takes time. Spain’s opening fixture at the World Cup is on June 15 against Cape Verde.
The likelihood that he is 100% fit for that match is low. However, he is young, and his body should recover more quickly than that of a player who is even 25. If all goes well with the diagnosis, Spain should have Yamal on the pitch at some point this summer, but it may not be for their first clash of the World Cup campaign.
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