Barcelona have been given an injury scare after teenage sensation Lamine Yamal limped off during Spain’s World Cup qualifying win over Bulgaria on Thursday night.
The 17-year-old winger, who dazzled once again with a breathtaking display, was forced off in the 79th minute after suffering discomfort in his back.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the issue is considered minor, and Yamal is still expected to be available for Spain’s upcoming clash against Türkiye on Sunday.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente was full of praise for his star man after the victory. Yamal was involved in all three of Spain’s goals, dribbling past Bulgarian defender Fabian Nürnberger six times and assisting Mikel Merino’s header to seal a 3–0 win. “We could have drawn more positive conclusions, but we all finished healthy,” De la Fuente told TVE, sounding optimistic about Yamal’s condition.
This was Yamal’s first appearance for Spain as a legal adult, but his numbers already underline his talismanic role: six goals and 11 assists in 22 caps. No Spanish player has contributed to more goals since De la Fuente took charge in 2023.
Back in Barcelona, head coach Hansi Flick has also leaned heavily on the prodigy, admitting: “I tell Lamine champions don’t rest.” With the Catalan giants preparing for a busy run and hosting Valencia in La Liga before traveling to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United in the Champions League and Yamal’s fitness will be crucial.
For now, Barcelona and Spain fans can breathe a sigh of relief: the injury scare looks to be nothing more than a temporary setback.
