Lamine Yamal: Barcelona star ruled out for season as Spain sweat over World Cup fitness | OneFootball

Star hobbled off in Barca’s 1-0 win over Celta Vigo

Barcelona ​attacker Lamine Yamal will miss the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury in the left leg, but the ⁠Spain international is expected to be available for this year's World Cup, the LaLiga side said on Thursday.

Yamal had limped off the pitch during ⁠Wednesday's 1-0 league win ​over ⁠Celta Vigo, where the 18-year-old scored the only goal from the penalty spot.

"The ⁠tests carried out have confirmed that first-team player ​Lamine ⁠Yamal has a ‌hamstring injury in his left leg (biceps femoris muscle)," Barcelona posted on X.

"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."

Spain will kick off their World Cup campaign with a Group H game against Cape Verde on June 15.

Yamal, who has been sidelined with groin issues multiple times this season, leads Barcelona's LaLiga scoring charts with 16 goals. ‌He scored in his last three appearances ​for the club in all competitions.

He ‌also provided three assists ⁠in his two appearances for Spain in ⁠the World Cup qualifiers last year.

In a statement on Instagram, the forward wrote: “This injury leaves me off the pitch at the moment I wanted to be there the most, and it hurts more than I can explain.

“It hurts not being able to fight alongside my teammates, not being able to help when the team needs me. But I believe in them and I know they’re going to give their all in every match”.

“I’ll be there, even if it’s from the outside, supporting, cheering and pushing like one more. This isn’t the end, it’s just a pause. I’ll come back stronger, with more desire than ever, and next season will be better.

“Thank you for the messages and Visca el Barça”.

Barcelona, who are nine ‌points clear ​at the top of ‌the Spanish league, visit ​Getafe on Saturday.