Barcelona: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said on Friday that injured teenage star Lamine Yamal would return to action at the World Cup this summer with Spain, even “stronger” than he is now.
The 18-year-old was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury which he suffered on Wednesday as Barcelona beat Celta Vigo in La Liga. Yamal won and converted a penalty to help his side stay nine points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table, but immediately went down injured and was substituted.
“It’s not easy this situation for us, but also for him,” Flick told reporters. “He knows it was his first muscle injury. What I can feel is that he is very focussed. He has the motivation -- he is out for us, but I think for the World Cup he will be there and he will be stronger, (he will) come back stronger than now.” Yamal, who finished second in the Ballon d’Or vote last year and helped Spain triumph at Euro 2024, has been a key figure in Barcelona’s attempt to defend their La Liga title.
