Lamine Yamal’s injury continues to generate major concern inside FC Barcelona, and now a strong medical warning has made the situation even more delicate. Sports medicine specialist Dr. Pedro Luis Ripoll has issued a serious alert about the recovery process. His message hits a club already shaken after the scare against Celta.
The Barça winger suffered an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg during the match against Celta, just after winning and scoring the decisive penalty. The first reports suggest that he could miss the rest of the season with Barça, although the World Cup remains a possible target if recovery goes well. But according to Ripoll, the key is not just returning — it is returning properly.
The main concern is not only the time out, but the risk of relapse linked to this type of muscle injury. Ripoll explained that the recurrence rate can be around 30%, a figure that immediately raises alarm. He also pointed to a worrying Barça pattern, with several players suffering similar problems and many relapsing afterwards.
Barça know they cannot rush him
The specialist was also very clear about the return timeline. A problem like this usually requires four to six weeks, but that does not simply mean being available for a match. It means being able to train at maximum intensity before competing again.
That is why rushing Lamine back would be extremely dangerous. Ripoll believes the player should complete at least six full training sessions before playing a competitive match at full pace. That warning is crucial for Barça, because forcing him now could even affect the start of next season.
The doctor was also critical of what happened during the penalty action against Celta. In his view, Lamine should have asked to be substituted as soon as he felt the first discomfort. Taking the penalty after feeling pain was an unnecessary risk that ended badly.
The World Cup adds pressure, but caution must come first
The calendar makes everything even more complicated. Spain’s World Cup campaign begins on June 15 against Cape Verde, which creates obvious pressure around Lamine’s recovery. However, Ripoll believes the sensible approach would be not to count on him for that first match.
Instead, the priority should be a later return if Spain advance and the player responds well physically. That approach also fits Barça’s biggest fear. The club cannot afford a relapse in its most decisive attacking player.
Inside Barça, the sporting blow is enormous. Lamine is a completely differential player in Hansi Flick’s system, and losing him changes the team’s attacking ceiling. The message is clear: Barça can afford to wait now, but they cannot afford to lose Lamine Yamal twice because of the same injury.
Discover more from Barça Buzz
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
