Lamine Yamal, the young forward for Barcelona, has been withdrawn from the Spain national squad due to a recurring groin injury. Barcelona confirmed on Friday that Yamal will miss approximately three weeks of action, ruling him out of the upcoming LaLiga match against Sevilla on October 8, 2023, as well as Spain’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria on October 11 and October 14, respectively.
Injury Details and Impact on Upcoming Matches
After Yamal was initially named to the Spain squad, it was revealed that he has been experiencing discomfort in the pubic area following a match against Paris Saint-Germain. Barcelona’s official statement noted, “The discomfort in the pubic area that player Lamine Yamal has been experiencing has reappeared after the match against PSG. He will be out for the Sevilla game, and the estimated recovery time is 2-3 weeks.”
This setback means that Yamal will miss crucial fixtures, including Barcelona’s matches against Girona and Olympiacos following the international break. The young talent is hopeful for a return in time for the first Clásico of the season against Real Madrid on October 26, 2023.
Previously, Yamal made a brief return to play as a substitute in Barcelona’s victory over Real Sociedad before starting in the Champions League loss to PSG. His absence will be felt by both his club and the national team as Spain prepares for the qualifiers.
Spain Squad Changes and Reactions
Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, had called Yamal into the squad after he appeared to recover from injury. Nonetheless, the announcement of his withdrawal has led to further changes in the national team lineup. Notably, Álvaro Morata, the captain in previous matches, has been omitted from the squad despite not being injured.
Other absences include Nico Williams, Dani Carvajal, Gavi, and Fermín López, all of whom are dealing with injuries. In light of these omissions, De la Fuente has recalled players such as Marcos Llorente, Pablo Barrios, Álex Baena, Yeremy Pino, and Samu Aghehowa.
Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has indicated that he has been in discussions with Aitor Karanka, the Spanish Football Federation’s counterpart, to enhance communication between the club and the national team, particularly regarding player fitness and availability.
In the wake of Yamal’s injury, the national team’s preparation remains critical. Spain currently leads its World Cup qualifying group with a perfect record, and securing six points from the upcoming matches against Georgia and Bulgaria will further solidify their position for the World Cup.
As the situation unfolds, both Barcelona and the Spanish national team will be closely monitoring Yamal’s recovery, hoping for a swift return to form for the promising 18-year-old forward.
