Yamal ruled out for rest of the season, expected to return for World Cup

Barcelona have confirmed Lamine Yamal will miss the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury, but is expected to be fit for the World Cup this summer.

Yamal was substituted during their victory over Celta Vigo on Wednesday, with the teenager clutching his hamstring immediately after scoring a penalty in the 1-0 win.

The 18-year-old has played 45 matches across all competitions this term, the third most of any Barca player (Eric Garcia – 47, Gerard Martin – 46), scoring 24 goals and providing 17 assists in those games.

Yamal leads the way for assists in LaLiga this term, with 11, while only Kylian Mbappe (28) has directly contributed to more goals in the competition this season than the Barca winger (27).

Barca released a statement that read: “The tests carried out have confirmed that first-team player Lamine Yamal has a hamstring injury in his left leg (biceps femoris muscle).

“The player will follow a conservative treatment plan. Lamine Yamal will miss the remainder of the season, and he is expected to be available for the World Cup.”

The tests carried out have confirmed that first-team player Lamine Yamal has a hamstring injury in his left leg (biceps femoris muscle).

The player will follow a conservative treatment plan. Lamine Yamal will miss the remainder of the season, and he is expected to be available… pic.twitter.com/8UU4Bg9bDh

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 23, 2026

Barca have six matches remaining in the 2025-26 season, with all of those games coming in LaLiga.

The Blaugrana’s win over Celta moved them nine points clear of second-place Real Madrid, who they face on May 10.

According to the Opta supercomputer, Barca have a 97.7% chance of retaining their LaLiga crown, compared to Madrid’s 2.3% probability of lifting the trophy next month.

Spain’s World Cup campaign starts on June 15 against Cape Verde, while they will also face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in the group stage.

Luis de la Fuente’s side are one of the favourites to win the competition, having won the Euros in 2024.