Spain handed double worrying injury update as new Lamine Yamal return date emerges

Lamine Yamal is expected to miss Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

The Barcelona star has not played since he suffered a freak injury whilst scoring against Celta Vigo in April, which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

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While Barca later assured fans that Yamal was expected to return in time for the World Cup, this now appears only partly true.

World Cup worry

According to sources with knowledge of his recovery, the 18-year-old is set to be sidelined for Spain’s group-stage opener against Cape Verde on June 15.

Worse still, Yamal is also reportedly a major doubt for La Roja’s second match against Saudi Arabia on June 21.

There is no news as yet on his availability for the national team’s final group game against Uruguay, which falls six days later.

Spanish Football Association (RFEF) sources say the association has been in touch with Barcelona and Yamal, with members of its medical staff making regular visits to Catalonia to monitor his progress.

The teenager sustained his injury whilst scoring from the penalty spot in a 1-0 LaLiga win over Celta Vigo on April 22.

After dispatching his spot-kick, Yamal immediately pulled up and went to ground requiring treatment, and was subsequently substituted.

A day later, Barcelona confirmed he had suffered a hamstring injury in his left leg, ruling him out for their remaining six LaLiga games.

The Spanish giants also revealed Yamal would follow a ‘conservative treatment plan’, and club officials met with the RFEF on Friday to discuss a rehabilitation programme for his return.

Yamal’s 2025/26 injury woes

Despite missing the end of Barcelona’s victorious LaLiga campaign, Yamal featured heavily for Hansi Flick‘s side before this.

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He made 45 appearances in all competitions in his third full season with the Barca senior side, playing a key role in their title success.

The teenage sensation has registered 24 goals and 16 assists in all competitions, despite missing five games at the start of the season.

Yamal struggled with groin issue pubalgia in the earlier stages of the 2025/26 campaign, which caused some friction between Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

In September, Barca coach Flick suggested Spain should take better care of its players after the winger took painkillers to play in the international break and returned to club duty with a groin injury, causing him to miss four games.

The German said: “Maybe when we talk about taking care of young players, it’s things like that. I’m very sad about this.”

Yamal later suffered a reoccurrence of the same injury in October, just hours after being named in Spain’s squad for that month’s internationals.

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High hopes

Following the update on Yamal’s injury, Spain will be desperate to secure their progression into the World Cup knockout stage.

The youngster is widely expected to star in this summer’s showpiece in the USA, Canada and Mexico, having burst onto the scene by playing a key role in La Roja’s Euro 2024 glory as a 16-year-old.

Yamal was named Young Player of the Tournament, as he led the assist charts by setting up four goals, as well as scoring in Spain’s semi-final win over France.

One of his most important goal contributions saw him tee up Nico William’s for the opening goal in the Euro 2024 final, as Luis de la Fuente’s side beat England 2-1.

Spain are among the favourites to win football’s ultimate prize this summer, having last tasted glory at the 2010 World Cup.