Lamine Yamal was injured while converting a penalty in Barcelona’s 1-0 Spanish league win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday, raising immediate concern for Spain less than two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Yamal, 18, scored in the 40th minute, then dropped to the ground clutching his hamstring. Replays showed the forward grabbing the back of his leg after striking the penalty for his 24th goal of the season. He received treatment for several minutes, walked off, and did not return.
Barcelona midfielder Gavi called the injury “a real blow,” noting Yamal’s importance to the team and the uncertainty around a timeline.
Club sources told ESPN that the initial indication is a torn hamstring. No official diagnosis has been released, and further scans were scheduled for Thursday.
If confirmed, the injury could sideline Yamal for the remainder of Barcelona’s season and cast doubt on his availability for Spain, a World Cup favorite entering this summer. Yamal has emerged as one of the sport’s most dynamic young attackers and a central piece for the Spanish national team.
The expanded 48-team tournament begins on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
