Lamine Yamal will delay comeback until after World Cup

Lamine Yamal said on May 17 that he will not touch a football until the 2026 World Cup, drawing a clear line around his recovery from the hamstring injury that ended his Barcelona season. The 18-year-old made the remark at a Kings League event when he was asked whether he would take a penalty for La Capital CF, the team he fronts as president. Spanish outlet Marca reported that Yamal answered, “Hasta el Mundial no toco un balón” — “I won’t touch a ball until the World Cup” — and said it with a smile. The comment landed after Barcelona’s final stretch without one of their most important attackers. Yamal missed Barcelona’s May 17 league game against Real Betis because of the hamstring problem, with match listings showing him sidelined for that fixture. Reports in Spain said the injury was to the biceps femoris in his left leg and dated back to late April against Celta Vigo. (marca.com) The immediate point of Yamal’s remark was caution, not a new medical diagnosis. Multiple reports said he is progressing well in rehabilitation and is being managed with the World Cup in mind. ### What exactly did Yamal say, and where did he say it? Marca reported on May 17 that Yamal made the comment during a Kings League appearance after being asked if he would take a penalty. (globalsportsarchive.com) The paper said he answered bluntly that he would not touch a ball until the World Cup, underscoring that he did not want to take any risk in recovery. (marca.com) Barca Blaugranes, via Yahoo Sports, described the same exchange in similar terms. That report said Yamal declined the “president’s penalty” for La Capital CF and replied, “I won’t touch a ball until the World Cup.” ### What injury is he recovering from? April 23 was the date Barcelona said Yamal would miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, according to USA Today’s citation of the club statement. (marca.com) Marca said the affected area was the biceps femoris in his left leg and linked the issue to the match against Celta Vigo in late April. (sports.yahoo.com) BeIN Sports said the winger suffered a hamstring tear during the closing stages of the LaLiga season and missed the remainder of Barcelona’s campaign. That report added that recovery times for that type of injury can vary widely, which is why the player and the national-team staff have treated the process cautiously. (usatoday.com) ### Did Barcelona already shut him down for the season? May 17 was Barcelona’s latest league match, a 3-1 win over Real Betis, and match data listed Yamal among the sidelined players with a hamstring issue. Barca Blaugranes also reported before the game that he was still out and working toward recovery ahead of the World Cup. (beinsports.com) Spanish reports have said he will not play again for Barcelona this season. Marca wrote that the Spain international, now 18, would not feature again for the club but should be available to national-team coach Luis de la Fuente for the summer tournament. ### How are Spain and Barcelona handling the recovery? (globalsportsarchive.com) BeIN Sports reported on May 16 that Barcelona and Spain medical staff had evaluated Yamal at the club’s training facilities and that the results were positive, citing Mundo Deportivo. The broadcaster said he is now expected to be fully fit for the World Cup after earlier fears over the timeline. (marca.com) That same report said Spain’s priority is to avoid any setback before the tournament. Barca Blaugranes likewise said Yamal was not taking fitness risks and was focused on getting back for Spain rather than returning early for club action. (beinsports.com) ### What comes next for Yamal and Spain? June 15 is Spain’s opening date at the 2026 World Cup, with FIFA listing a group-stage match against Cape Verde in Atlanta. Barca Blaugranes said Spain’s group also includes Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. The next milestone, then, is not another Barcelona appearance. (beinsports.com) It is whether Yamal is available when Luis de la Fuente names and deploys his squad for Spain’s opener against Cape Verde on June 15. (fifa.com)