By 90min | Created at 2024-12-16 13:32:12 | Updated at 2024-12-16 15:46:42
2 hours ago
Barcelona are nervously awaiting the results of tests on Lamine Yamal after the youngster suffered an ankle injury during Sunday night's shock La Liga defeat to Leganes.
It was the first time this season that Barcelona have lost a La Liga game that Yamal has started, highlighting his importance even at such a young age. But a knock to his right ankle relatively early in the contest meant the 17-year-old was just a shadow of his usual self thereafter.
Yamal seemed to signal to the bench during the first half that he wanted to be substituted. But the 2024 Golden Boy winner, receiving his trophy before kick-off, ended up staying on the pitch until he was eventually replaced with 75 minutes gone.
Coach Hansi Flick was criticised for not making the change sooner, but assistant Marcus Sorg, who was on the touchline in Flick's place while the latter served a suspension, insisted that the decision to continue was Yamal's.
"Lamine decided that he was fine and could continue playing. I cannot say that he is fine, we will have to wait for the medical team to examine him," Sorg told reporters.
A struggling Yamal wasn't his usual self as Barcelona lost / Alex Caparros/GettyImages
The injured ankle is the same one that resulted in Yamal missing five games for Barcelona and Spain in November, adding to the fears now. Mundo Deportivo has already reported it is another sprain, but that test results will reveal the severity of the problem.
It puts enormous doubt over his participation against in-form title rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday. That game is Barcelona's last before Spanish football's winter break, with action resuming with a Copa del Rey tie against lower league opponent Barbastro on 4 January.
The Catalans then have a trip to Saudi Arabia a few days later for the Supercopa de Espana, where they will face Athletic Club in a semi-final, before a potential final against Real Madrid or Mallorca. La Liga doesn't resume until later in the month when Barca visit Getafe on 19 January.
