Spain and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal has admitted he was worried he might miss the World Cup due to the hamstring injury he is still recovering from.
The 18 year old picked up the injury while scoring a penalty for Barcelona in their clash against Celta Vigo on April 22, an incident that immediately raised concerns about his availability for the upcoming tournament.
Speaking to the Spanish football federation’s media platform, Yamal explained that at the time of the injury he was hoping it was something minor, like cramp, because of how close the World Cup was. He noted that hamstring injuries are often slow to heal and can easily disrupt major tournament plans.
He added that his biggest fear was not only the seriousness of the injury but also the possibility of a setback during recovery that could still rule him out of the competition.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente remains hopeful that the winger will be fit in time for the team’s opening World Cup match against Cape Verde on June 15. Yamal has already resumed light involvement, joining teammates in warm up sessions before continuing gym work as part of his recovery plan.
Despite the setback, the young forward said the anticipation of playing at a World Cup has helped him stay mentally strong throughout his rehabilitation. He described the experience as motivating, saying it has made him feel as though the season is building toward something special.
Yamal, who played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph in Germany, described the World Cup as the biggest stage in football and revealed that he has often imagined what it would feel like to win it.
If he is not ready for the opening match, he is expected to feature in later group games against Saudi Arabia on June 21 and Uruguay on June 27 as Spain continue their Group H campaign.
