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| Barcelona player:Lamine Yamal will be back soon before Clásico |
Less than three weeks before the first El Clásico of the season, FC Barcelona is in a state of anticipation and anxiety. All eyes are on its young jewel, Lamine Yamal, who is in a frantic race against time to be present at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Catalan club, aware of the match's importance, has laid out a precise recovery plan that looks like a calculated gamble to get its star back on the field.
A Meticulous Plan to Restore the Jewel
The 18-year-old Yamal suffered a setback with a pubis injury that worsened during the last international break, sidelining him for an expected two to three weeks. While the timeline makes his presence at El Clásico theoretically possible, doubts remain about his ability to play at 100% fitness.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona's coaching and medical staff have established a two-stage roadmap for his return:
Stage One - Regaining Sensation: He would return against Girona immediately after the international break, playing for 30 to 45 minutes. The goal is to test his body's response to match intensity and regain a feel for the competition.
Stage Two - Ramping Up Fitness: He would start in the Champions League match against Olympiacos, playing for 60 to 70 minutes. This match would be the final true test to sharpen his fitness just five days before facing Real Madrid.
This plan isn't limited to Yamal. Fermín López and Raphinha, also returning from injuries, are expected to follow a similar path to ensure the team arrives at the Bernabéu with its full attacking force.
Between Club Pressure and Expert Warnings
This plan comes amid an ongoing dispute between Barcelona and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). While the club accuses the national team staff of pushing Yamal to play despite feeling pain, the federation defends its decisions.
This controversy complicates the situation, especially with warnings from sports medicine experts that pubis injuries, in particular, require full recovery and can become chronic if the return is rushed. Excessive strain on an area that hasn't completely healed could lead to a relapse that sidelines the player for a much longer period.
Amidst this pressure, baseless rumors have circulated on social media linking the injury to the player's personal life. Medically, however, it is well-known that such injuries result from muscle strain and high intensity in matches, not from external factors.
Why the Insistence on Yamal? Last Season's Clásico Dominance Provides the Answer
Barcelona's insistence on Yamal's return might seem like a huge risk, but one look at the results of last season's El Clásico encounters (2024-2025) explains everything. Yamal was a cornerstone of Barcelona's crushing superiority over their arch-rivals in four consecutive matches.
La Liga (Oct 26, 2024): A sweeping 4-0 victory for Barça, with Yamal scoring the third goal.
Spanish Super Cup Final (Jan 12, 2025): A resounding 5-2 triumph, with Yamal netting the fifth.
Copa del Rey Final (Apr 26, 2025): A tough 3-2 win after extra time.
La Liga (May 11, 2025): A dramatic 4-3 win at the Bernabéu, where Yamal scored a crucial goal.
This absolute dominance, of which Yamal was an integral part, is what Barcelona is desperate to replicate. His presence represents not only an offensive threat but also a symbol of the psychological edge the team has recently built against Real Madrid.