Lamine Yamal and other stars who have been injured while taking a penalty
It’s rare, but not unheard of. What happened to Lamine Yamal has already affected some of football’s biggest stars.
Lamine Yamal and an unusual injury
Lamine Yamal’s injury after scoring from the spot in Barcelona vs Celta in LaLiga may have seemed unusual, but it is not entirely unprecedented in elite football.
The young Barcelona forward picked up a muscle issue right after taking the penalty, in a moment that, while rare, has also impacted other top-level players in the past.
Iniesta, a case that nearly changed everything
One of the most notable examples is Andrés Iniesta, who suffered an injury while taking a penalty with Vissel Kobe during the AFC Champions League in 2020.
The injury kept him out for several months and even led him to consider retirement at the time, highlighting how serious these situations can become.
De Bruyne, a recent example
More recently, Kevin De Bruyne experienced a similar situation in 2025 while playing for Napoli, injuring himself after converting a penalty against Inter.
The Belgian midfielder was sidelined for nearly four months, reinforcing the idea that even routine actions like penalties can carry unexpected risks.
Why can this happen?
Unlike Iniesta and De Bruyne, who took more traditional penalties, Lamine’s attempt included a hesitation move, commonly known as a “paradinha.”
This type of technique can increase muscle strain, particularly in the hamstring area, which is where both Lamine and De Bruyne suffered their injuries.
An even more unusual case
Beyond high-profile players, there are even more unusual examples, such as Chilean forward Cristián Zavala, who fractured his kneecap while attempting a “Panenka” penalty.
The incident quickly went viral due to its bizarre nature, but it also served as a reminder that even the simplest actions in football can lead to unexpected consequences.
