Barcelona Secures Narrow Win Over Celta Vigo Amid Injury Concerns for Lamine Yamal
Barcelona's Victory Overshadowed by Injury
Barcelona strengthened their position in the LaLiga title race with a narrow 1-0 win against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou on Wednesday. However, the victory was marred by an injury to their young star, Lamine Yamal.
The 18-year-old forward netted the crucial penalty in the 40th minute but immediately fell to the ground, clutching his hamstring. Medical personnel attended to him on the field, and he was unable to continue, leading to Roony Bardghji stepping in just before halftime.
Lamine Yamal has suffered a muscle tear in his left hamstring while taking the penalty against Celta Vigo. He may miss the remainder of the season.
— Ángel Villanueva (@angelphysio) April 22, 2026
As reported by ESPN, Yamal has sustained a torn hamstring. The extent of the injury and the duration of his recovery will be assessed after further examinations. This setback not only threatens Barcelona's title chase but also raises doubts about his participation in Spain's FIFA World Cup squad, where he was expected to make his debut against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta.
Reactions from Coach and Teammates
Coach Hansi Flick commented on the situation, stating, "We have to wait and see what it is. He felt something after scoring. He wouldn’t leave the pitch without a reason. Hopefully, it’s not too serious, but we need to wait until tomorrow for more information."
Midfielder Pedri expressed his hopes for a quick recovery, saying, "I wish Lamine the best. He needs to stay calm; he’s young and will recover well."
Goalkeeper Joan García shared similar sentiments, hoping for minimal injury severity and a swift return for the players.
Barcelona also faced another setback with defender João Cancelo leaving the match due to a muscle injury in his right leg, adding to the team's injury woes.
Looking Ahead
Despite these challenges, Barcelona managed to secure the win, increasing their lead to nine points over second-placed Real Madrid with six matches left in the season. While Yamal's penalty was pivotal, his injury cast a shadow over the victory.
The young talent is regarded as one of Spain's most promising players for the upcoming World Cup, and his absence would be a significant loss for both his club and the national team, interrupting his development during a crucial phase.
Barcelona's task now is to maintain their momentum without their rising star. With six games remaining, Flick's squad will need to depend on their depth and resilience to clinch the title while awaiting updates on Yamal's recovery.