Barcelona star Lamine Yamal out for season with hamstring injury

Seth Vertelney, USA TODAYThu, April 23, 2026 at 1:15 PM UTC

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Lamine Yamal will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, but is expected to be available for the World Cup, FC Barcelona said in a statement on Thursday, April 23.

Yamal suffered the injury while scoring a penalty in a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday, April 22.

"The tests carried out have confirmed that first-team player Lamine Yamal has a hamstring injury in his left leg (biceps femoris muscle)," the statement said.

"The player will follow a conservative treatment plan. Lamine Yamal will miss the remainder of the season, and he is expected to be available for the World Cup."

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Spain – 17th appearance

Yamal suffered the injury five minutes before halftime in Wednesday's game. After he won a penalty, the winger stepped up and buried the spot kick, but immediately pulled up while grabbing his left hamstring.

The 18-year-old had to withdraw from the match, which took place 50 days before the World Cup kicks off.

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Yamal looks to be facing a race against time to be fit for his first World Cup. Barcelona's season ends on May 24, with Spain kicking off the World Cup on June 15 against Cape Verde.

La Roja will be among the favorites to win the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Should he regain fitness, Yamal will be one of the most-watched players at the World Cup this summer.

Despite his age, he is considered one of the best players in the world and finished second in the 2025 Ballon d'Or voting.

The teenager helped lead Spain to the title at Euro 2024, a tournament during which he turned 17.

Yamal finishes the 2025-26 season with 24 goals and 17 assists for Barcelona.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lamine Yamal injury: Barcelona, Spain star out for season

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