Yamal has been key to Barca's success this season but will miss the top-flight match against Atleti in Montjuïc.
Barcelona will take on Atlético Madrid on Saturday (December 21) in a top-flight match, with the winner at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys ending 2024 as LaLiga leader. Hansi Flick's team have led the division all season but must defend their position without winger Lamine Yamal.
What injury does Lamine Yamal have?
The 17-year-old superstar missed three Barca games and two games in Spain in November due to a right ankle injury, which he suffered again in last Sunday's shock home defeat to Leganés. Yamal was seen limping after being tackled in the 16th minute, but somehow managed to play on uncomfortably until the 75th minute, when he was substituted.
The Catalans revealed last week that the forward had suffered “a first degree injury to the anterior intertibio-fibular ligament”, which would keep him on the sidelines for “three to four weeks”. As a result, there was no chance of him ever being available for Atleti, much to Flick's dismay.
Which games will Lamine Yamal miss? How long will he be out?
Fortunately for Barcelona and Yamal, LaLiga is taking a short break over Christmas and New Year, meaning the only other match he will definitely miss is the Copa del Rey tie against fourth division club Barbastro (January 4).
The hope is to have the teenager available for the 2025 Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club on January 8, which takes place four days before the final against Real Madrid or Mallorca in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Much has been made of Barca's problems this season when Yamal has been unavailable. The winger has only started one of their four LaLiga defeats, the loss to Leganés last weekend, which he played through injury. Flick's team have won 12 of 14 league games while he was in the starting line-up, the draw against Real Betis on December 7 being the only other match they failed to win.
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