Yamal suffered a peculiar injury against Celta Vigo. In the 40th minute, the 18-year-old confidently converted a penalty he had won himself to put Barca ahead, a lead that ultimately proved to be the final score. Instead of celebrating, however, he signalled to the substitutes’ bench immediately after taking the penalty that he had been injured. He then went down and lay on the pitch, with his teammates, some of whom looked bewildered, gathered around him.
Barcelona’s medical team immediately came on to treat the teenager, who then limped off, visibly disappointed, straight down the tunnel. Roony Bardghji replaced him.
Should Yamal miss the run-in, it would still be a bitter blow for the champions-elect, who hold a healthy advantage over Real Madrid but must navigate several fixtures before sealing a domestic double. A May showdown in El Clásico looms large.
