Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has been diagnosed with a left hamstring injury after scoring the penalty in his team's 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo on April 22. The 18-year-old faces a 4-6 week absence, missing the rest of Barcelona's La Liga run-in, but could return for Spain's World Cup preparations.
Lamine Yamal went down in pain immediately after converting a first-half penalty—the game's only goal—in Barcelona's 1-0 home win over Celta Vigo on April 22, securing a nine-point lead at the top of La Liga with six matches remaining, including the Clasico against Real Madrid on May 10. The academy product, who leads La Liga with 11 assists and 27 goal involvements (second to Kylian Mbappe), was substituted and did not return.
Barcelona confirmed the left hamstring injury on April 23, opting for conservative treatment. The 2025 Ballon d'Or runner-up, with 24 goals across all competitions this season and six goals plus 12 assists in 25 Spain caps, is expected to miss the entire domestic run-in following the Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid. Hamstring injuries typically heal in 4-6 weeks, potentially allowing a return for Spain's final World Cup friendly against Peru on June 8 in Mexico. Spain opens the tournament against Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15, followed by Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
Yamal expressed his frustration on social media: 'This injury leaves me off the field at the time I most wanted to be [on it]. It hurts not being able to fight with my teammates... But I believe in them.' FIFA-certified physician Pedro Luis Ripoll stressed caution due to a 30% recurrence rate: 'We have to be extremely cautious with the recovery timeline.'
Coach Hansi Flick, who post-match urged waiting for tests, later praised replacement Roony Bardghji as a 'fantastic professional.' Attacking options remain plentiful with Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, Marcus Rashford, and Joao Cancelo available. Yamal had managed a prior sports hernia but was otherwise injury-free this season.
