The 2026 FIFA World Cup draws ever closer and as the 2025/26 club season draws to a close, players and fans will be hoping their favorite superstars can stay healthy and fit for action next summer.
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In that sense, there has been a significant scare when Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal, who recently led the Spanish team to European Championship glory two years ago along a stratospheric rise to international stardom, suffered an injury.
Having appeared to injure his hamstring while playing for Barcelona in mid-April, fans around the world are hoping he can return in time to not only help complete Barcelona’s fight for a La Liga title, but especially for the World Cup, which begins on June 11.
Sporting News brings you the latest on Lamine’s injury and how long he could keep him out, with the World Cup in doubt for the 18-year-old.
FURTHER:Latest Barcelona team news and injury updates ahead of their next match
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What happened to Lamine Yamal?
Lamine Yamal had to leave injured near the end of the first half of Barcelona’s game on April 22 against Celta Vigo.
Lamine awarded a penalty in the 39th minute and immediately raised his finger to indicate to the bench that he had been injured, proceeding to lie on his back while being treated by the Camp Nou medical staff.
It appeared to be a hamstring issue as he received treatment on his dominant left leg with which he took the penalty.
It was a major concern, not only for Barcelona, ​​who are seeking the La Liga title, but also for the Spanish team.
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How long will Lamine Yamal be out?
It is unclear how much time Lamine Yamal will miss until tests are completed, but there are concerns he could miss several games for Barcelona.
A Grade 1 hamstring strain would see him miss only a week or two, with games against Getafe and Osasuna next on Barcelona’s fixture list.
If the injury were worse, a Grade 2 hamstring strain would keep him sidelined for four to six weeks, meaning his Barcelona campaign is over but the World Cup could be on the line.
The worst case scenario would be a grade 3 hamstring strain, which is a complete tear of the muscle. This would almost certainly require surgery and could rule him out of the FIFA World Cup.
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Will Lamine Yamal play in the FIFA World Cup?
Spanish national team coach Luis de la Fuente and La Roja fans will hold their breath as tests are carried out on Lamine Yamal’s injury.
If the injury is minor, Lamine could return in the coming weeks and should be fit to participate in the World Cup.
However, if the injury is of a more serious nature, he would be unlikely to participate in the World Cup, which would be a very significant blow to Spain’s chances of making a breakthrough in the competition.
Earlier that day, news had been announced that Chelsea youngster Estevao had suffered a serious hamstring injury, reportedly an “almost complete tear”, which has thrown his own World Cup hopes into doubt.