Barcelona and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who is known as one of the brightest young footballers in the world, has been diagnosed with a chronic groin injury that experts say may never fully heal.
The 18-year-old, who rose to stardom after breaking into Barcelona’s senior side at just 15 years of age, has already achieved remarkable milestones.
Euro 2024 trophy
He helped Spain lift the Euro 2024 trophy and guided Barcelona to a domestic treble last season, where his dazzling performances earned him second place in the 2025 Ballon d’Or and made him the first-ever two-time winner of the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player in the world.
Battle with pubalgia
However, behind his meteoric rise, Lamine Yamal has been silently battling pubalgia, a complex and chronic condition that causes persistent pain in the pubic and groin area.
According to medical experts, it is a condition he will have to manage for the rest of his career.
The injury came under the spotlight during El Clasico, where fans and pundits noticed Lamine Yamal playing through visible discomfort. Spanish media reports later revealed that his recurring absences for both Barcelona and Spain were linked to the same groin issue.
Physiotherapist Lluis Puig explained to Spanish outlet Sport that pubalgia is not a muscle injury but rather a chronic alteration in the pubic region.
“We can’t say that this is an injury that heals in a month. He will have to live with it and rely on preventative and compensatory work to stay at the top level,” Puig said.
Interestingly, Lionel Messi, another Barcelona icon, suffered from the same condition twice during his early years at the club between 2000 and 2008. He eventually overcame it through years of careful management, modified training, and consistent recovery work.
For Lamine Yamal, the road ahead will require similar discipline and patience. Barcelona’s medical team has reportedly designed a customized program to help him manage the pain and sustain peak performance without aggravating the injury.
Despite the setback, fans remain hopeful. At just 18, Lamine Yamal has already achieved what most players only dream of. If his resilience matches his talent, this could be yet another test that shapes the legend he is destined to become.
