Barcelona Holds Breath: Yamal Injury Scare Deemed ‘Minor’ After Bulgaria Masterclass

Barcelona fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who exited Spain’s World Cup qualifying victory over Bulgaria on Thursday with an injury scare, appears to have avoided anything serious. While the football world held its breath, reports suggest the issue is “minor,” with the prodigious forward expected to be available for Spain’s crucial clash against Türkiye on Sunday.

Another Dazzling Display Before the Scare

Yamal’s 22nd international appearance was, in typical fashion, a masterclass. Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, who famously described Yamal as a talent “touched by God’s wand,” watched as his starlet once again tore apart an opposition defense. The Barcelona forward was instrumental in Spain’s dominant 3-0 victory, playing a key role in the first two goals before teeing up Mikel Merino’s header for the third.

Bulgaria’s left-back Fabian Nürnberger, who plies his trade in Germany’s second tier, endured a torrid evening attempting to contain Yamal. The statistics speak volumes: Yamal dribbled past the 26-year-old an astounding six times, showcasing his unparalleled ability to beat defenders.

Back Pain and a Sigh of Relief

The alarm bells rang in the 79th minute when Yamal awkwardly made his way off the pitch. Initial reports from Mundo Deportivo indicated the teenager was suffering from back pain, leading to him sitting out Friday’s team training. However, the same report quickly eased fears, describing the issue as “minor” and expressing confidence in his availability for the upcoming match against Türkiye.

Spain manager De la Fuente echoed this optimistic sentiment in his post-match comments to TVE. “We could have drawn more positive conclusions, but we all finished healthy,” he stated. “It was a difficult match, and the next one will be much better.”

A Talismanic Figure at Just 17

Remarkably, this was Yamal’s first of 22 international caps won as a legal adult. Yet, his influence on the Spanish national team is already talismanic. The tireless dribbler has netted six goals for his country and provided an astonishing 11 assists. Since De la Fuente took the helm in early 2023, no player in the Spain squad has directly contributed to more goals than Yamal, a testament to his immediate and profound impact.

Barcelona’s Reliance on Their Young Star

Given his prolific output, it’s no surprise that La Roja has been reluctant to sideline Yamal. Similarly, his club, Barcelona, can ill-afford to be without their star forward in the coming weeks. The defending La Liga champions face a challenging schedule, returning to action with a home fixture against Valencia at the renovated Camp Nou, followed by their first Champions League outing of the new campaign against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has previously underscored Yamal’s importance and relentless drive, stating, “I tell Lamine champions don’t rest.” This philosophy highlights the high expectations and significant role Yamal plays for both club and country.