The 2026 World Cup was supposed to be another waypoint on Lamine Yamal’s path to becoming a generation-defining superstar, but there is the genuine threat that an injury could deprive the tournament of one of its biggest names. The Spanish wonderkid made everyone sit up and take notice at Euro 2024, and two years on, the 18-year-old seemed primed to seize the limelight once again. But instead, it may well be a waiting game.
Yamal suffered an untimely hamstring injury during the run-in of what was another title-winning La Liga campaign for Barcelona’s teenage sensation. Something that looked innocuous actually proved to be far more sinister, throwing his involvement at the World Cup into jeopardy.
There will have been widespread relief, then, when the winger was included in Luis de la Fuente’s 26-man Spain squad for the upcoming tournament, but the level of influence he will be able to have is still shrouded in uncertainty.
La Roja will be desperate to be able to call upon their attacking talisman when the competition intensifies, but will the World Cup come too soon for us to witness one of the would-be stars of the show at his unstoppable best?
Sidelined
It was an innocuous moment that has cast doubt over Yamal’s fitness for the World Cup; seconds after converting what proved to be the winning goal from the penalty spot against Celta Vigo on April 22, the winger signalled to the bench and went to ground, as his team-mates’ jubilation swiftly turned to concern.
He hasn’t played since, with reports at the time claiming that Barca were fearful that he had torn his left hamstring. That would require a recovery timeline of up to eight weeks, with no guarantee he would be match fit thereafter, either. However, the Blaugrana insisted he would be ready for the World Cup, a reflection of Yamal’s importance to Spain’s cause.
The club said at the time: “Tests have confirmed that first-team player Lamine Yamal has suffered a hamstring injury in his left leg. The player will follow a conservative treatment plan. He will miss the remainder of the league season but is expected to be available for the World Cup.” That was echoed by his club manager Hansi Flick.
Injury-hit campaign
This was the latest setback in what was an injury-disrupted season for the teenager, despite his tender years.
Yamal was also sidelined for five games right at the beginning of the campaign as a result of pubalgia – the chronic groin issue that also hampered Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer for much of 2025-26. Often called a sports hernia, the injury usually affects athletes who make explosive twists and turns, like quick-footed wingers. Younger players who have recently transitioned to first-team football can also be more susceptible.
Yamal was actually at the centre of a club vs country dispute back in September after he aggravated the problem while on international duty with Spain, who were accused of failing to ‘take care’ of the winger. He was subsequently held back from the November camp. Barca will not want a repeat, even at the World Cup.
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