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Lamine Yamal suffers hamstring injury, expected to be fit for World Cup
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Spain's Lamine Yamal has sustained a hamstring injury in his left leg, Barcelona announced. The club confirmed that the first-team player will undergo conservative treatment and miss the remainder of the season, but is anticipated to be available for the World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 this year. Yamal picked up the injury during Barcelona's 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo in La Liga on Wednesday, where he scored a penalty. The teenage Spain star, who has scored six goals in 25 appearances for the national side since his 2023 debut, expressed his disappointment on social media, stating, "This isn’t the end, it’s just a break. I’ll come back stronger, with even more determination than ever, and next season will be better." Barcelona coach Hansi Flick acknowledged the unfortunate timing of the injury. Spain is set to begin their World Cup campaign in Group H against Cape Verde on June 15, followed by matches against Saudi Arabia on June 21 and Uruguay six days later. Yamal, the club's leading scorer with 24 goals this season, was an integral part of Spain's Euro 2024 winning side and had recently spoken of his dream to play in the World Cup. He joins other key Spain internationals like Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, and Nico Williams who are either sidelined or recovering from injuries. There is a possibility that the 18-year-old could be rested at the start of the tournament to avoid aggravating his injury.
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