Lamine Yamal suffered a hamstring scare moments after scoring the penalty that sealed a narrow La Liga win for FC Barcelona against Celta Vigo, which gave them a 9-point lead over Real Madrid.
Lamine Yamal, 18, stepped up in the 40th minute at Camp Nou after he burst into the box and was brought down by Yoel Lago. He calmly sent Ionuț Radu the wrong way from the spot.
Seconds later, Yamal gestured towards the bench, sank to the turf clutching his left hamstring and limped off with the help of medical staff. He headed straight down the tunnel and was replaced by Roony Bardghji.
The injury arrives at a worrying time for the Spain national football team, with fewer than 50 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We have to wait,” Barcelona boss Hansi Flick said after the match. “We have to see what it is. I think there’s something, because he felt it, and after the goal, he wouldn’t leave the pitch without a reason. Hopefully, it’s not so bad.”
The win moves Barcelona a step closer to defending their title with six matches remaining. Attention now turns to next month’s Clasico against Real Madrid, a fixture Flick hopes Yamal will not miss.
The teenager has scored 16 league goals and provided 11 assists this season. He was also named Young Player of the Tournament at UEFA Euro 2024 as Spain lifted the trophy.
“I hope [his injury] is for as few weeks as possible. He’ll be tested and we’ll see what it is,” Barcelona midfielder Pedri told Movistar Plus.
“I wish him the best of luck, and he should stay calm – he’s young and will surely recover well.”
