Why isn’t Lamine Yamal playing for Spain vs Iraq today? Injury update explained
Spain are without their teenage star as he continues recovery from injury, with return plans still shaping up ahead of World Cup.
Spain play the first of two World Cup warmup matches against Iraq in A Coruña on Thursday but are without star attacker Lamine Yamal, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury.
Injury setback for Barcelona star
The Barcelona youngster tore his hamstring in his team’s La Liga victory over Celta Vigo on April 22, immediately after scoring the only goal of the game. Tests carried out the following day confirmed Yamal had torn a muscle, keeping him on the sidelines for several weeks.
Barcelona explained the winger would be available to play in the World Cup, but the timing of the injury meant he looked highly unlikely to be risked in Spain’s opening game of the tournament against Cape Verde on June 15, and perhaps even in the clash against Saudi Arabia six days later.
When will Yamal be back for Spain?
Yamal was initially pencilled in for Spain’s third group game, in which La Roja will face Uruguay on June 26, but he has done some training with the squad this week, offering hope he may be back a little sooner than forecast.
Spain friendlies come too soon for Yamal
The friendlies against Iraq and Peru, in Puebla, Mexico on June 8, come too soon for Yamal, who will nevertheless hope to have a major impact in his first World Cup, much like he did in his maiden European Championship, which Spain won two years ago.
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