Why isn’t Lamine Yamal playing for Barcelona against Osasuna? Injury update for Barça star

Barcelona are without Lamine Yamal as they take on Osasuna on Saturday, closing in on the LaLiga title. Hansi Flick’s side go into the weekend’s action with an 11-point cushion over Real Madrid but an injury to Yamal has cast a shadow over the remainder of the club’s games.

Yamal is currently out with a hamstring injury sustained in a recent win over Celta Vigo. The Spanish winger pulled up after slotting home a penalty and was immediately attended to by the club’s medical staff. He hobbled off the field and did not return.

Subsequent tests have found that Yamal suffered a left hamstring tear, an injury that typically means a two-month spell on the sidelines. That rules the youngster out for the remainder of Barcelona’s season and means that he faces a race against time to be back to feature for Spain at this summer’s World Cup.

A club statement from Barcelona confirmed the extend of the injury: “The player will follow a conservative treatment plan. He will miss the remainder of the league season but is expected to be available for the World Cup.”

With a healthy lead at the top of the LaLiga standings, Yamal’s absence is unlikely to impact on Barcelona’s pursuit of another league title. But a prolonged spell on the sidelines will be a major disruption for Spain’s summer plans, with Yamal tipped to lead the team challenging for a second World Cup triumph.

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