A Talent Still Not at 100 Percent

At FC Barcelona, there’s a clear consensus: Lamine Yamal is still far from his best form. The pubalgia he’s been dealing with for weeks continues to affect his performance. Although he showed signs of improvement against Elche, he has yet to recover the spark and explosiveness that made him one of the team’s most unbalancing players.

Coach Hansi Flick acknowledged it after the match: “We have to manage his injury. It comes and goes. I can’t say it’s over.” Even so, the manager was pleased with his display — Lamine scored a goal and showed flashes of quality, but was substituted before the end. The youngster wanted to stay on, but the coaching staff chose to protect him rather than take risks.

Barça’s Plan: Manage Him Without Stopping Him

The club’s strategy is clear: Lamine needs more time on the bench. It’s not a punishment — it’s prevention. Last season, he played 58 of 62 possible matches, an enormous workload for an 18-year-old. Now, Barça sees it as essential to reduce his match load and manage his minutes to avoid setbacks and keep him fit throughout the season.

Of the last four games, he has only completed one — El Clásico at the Bernabéu. Against Girona, Olympiacos, and Elche, he was taken off before full time. According to club sources, that will likely remain the pattern in the coming weeks. He’s not expected to skip training sessions — unlike Pau Cubarsí, who was rested recently — but his involvement will depend on how he feels physically.

Responsibility and Maturity in His Recovery

Inside the club, there’s full trust in Lamine’s attitude. Everyone believes the youngster understands the situation and knows he must take care of his body. The priority is to help him return to peak form without rushing the process. Barcelona is even considering reducing his public appearances to give him more physical and mental rest outside the training ground.

Medical staff and fitness coaches agree that his professionalism is exemplary, and his commitment will make the recovery process smoother. At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal knows that the only way to shine again at his best is to respect the timing. And for the first time, his road back to brilliance begins — from the bench.