The early-season hype surrounding Barcelona's teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, is facing a significant challenge: persistent injury. The extent of the issue has now been confirmed, with the young superstar managing a recurring case of pubalgia, described as chronic groin pain, from which he has not yet fully recovered.
His subdued performance during the recent Clásico served as a clear demonstration of the discomfort and limited mobility he is currently experiencing on the pitch, raising immediate concerns among the club’s medical and coaching staff about his workload. The injury limits his pace, power and reduces his shooting power.
The pubalgia is demonstrably hamstringing Yamal’s dominance and potential this season. Despite wearing the coveted No. 10 jersey, the 18-year-old winger has been available for only eight of Barcelona’s first 13 official matches in the 25/26 campaign, highlighting the severity of the issue. While his output, two goals and four assists so far, is respectable for his age, the injury has prevented him from sustaining the electric, game-changing form that generated so much excitement initially and backs up the potential as the next world best.
So is now the time for the Barcelona superstar to enter a period of rest that will benefit him later down the line?
Barcelona host Elche this Sunday, followed by a potential tricky Champions League trip to Club Brugge, before traveling to Celta Vigo ahead of the international break. Sacrificing the immediate impact of one of their brightest talents is a hard choice, yet failing to act now could result in further injury setbacks and a more extended recovery time later. The club must make a decisive move to manage Yamal’s pubalgia injury before it completely derails his promising season, and potentially hampers his career.
Starting either the promising youth player Roony Bardghji, or the more experienced Ferran Torres, against Elche would be a judicious move to manage Yamal’s minutes, allowing him to be introduced only if the match situation absolutely demands his presence.
This domestic rotation must be paired with an equally cautious approach to the international break. Yamal is expected to be called up for Spain's upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey, crucial games in Spain's quest for glory in North America. Restingfor one, or even withdrawing, from those international commitments would be a crucial and necessary step toward ensuring he gets the complete physical recovery time his pubalgia requires.
History repeating itself
The challenge facing Lamine Yamal echoes a familiar history at Camp Nou. Early in his career, between the 2006/2007 season and the following campaign, Lionel Messi experienced similar bouts of discomfort from groin and adductor issues, the very symptoms of pubalgia.
The future legend resisted surgery, instead making drastic changes to his diet and adapting his training methods to manage the pain and continue his ascent. Messi’s successful recovery and ability to remain largely untroubled by the issue for the remainder of his career serves as a roadmap for Yamal to follow, with Barcelona already learning those lessons.
However, the cautionary tale of the injury highlights the risk as the same successful outcome cannot be guaranteed. While Messi overcame it, Kaká experienced pubalgia during his time at Real Madrid and was never the same player who had shone brightly at the San Siro. Kaká suffered several relapses between 2010 and 2012, permanently diminishing the Brazilian’s pace and power, underscoring how this injury can potentially derail a career if not managed with immediate and utmost care.