Barcelona head into the 2025/26 Champions League already dealing with a major problem. Lamine Yamal, seen by many as the brightest prospect in the squad and maybe even the club’s biggest homegrown talent since Messi, is expected to sit out the opener against Newcastle United.
The issue sounds simple but it’s serious enough: pain in the pubic area that kept him out of Tuesday’s training session, the second-to-last before the match, and had already sidelined him for Sunday’s 6–0 demolition of Valencia. Local media don’t expect him to join Wednesday’s final practice either, which basically leaves Hansi Flick preparing without the player who’s been giving his attack an extra spark.
Unnecessary wear and tear with the national team
This injury didn’t just come out of the blue. A few days ago, Flick was already frustrated about how much Spain used the teenager. Even while complaining about discomfort, Yamal played 79 minutes in one qualifier and 73 in another. For someone who’s only 18 and still growing into his body, that’s a heavy load. Flick made his point clear: it’s not only about protecting a wonderkid, it’s about thinking ahead and making sure the career of someone so important for both Barcelona and Spain isn’t jeopardized.
His criticism brought back a familiar issue, how poorly clubs and national teams work together when it comes to handling young players. Spain wanted immediate results, so they leaned on their top option. Barça, on the other hand, have to think long term. And as always, the one who ends up paying for this tug-of-war is the player himself.
The impact on Barcelona
Without Yamal, Barcelona lose more than just a name on the team sheet. They’re missing pace, improvisation, and that one player who can unpick a tight defense on his own. Against Valencia it didn’t matter, Barça ran riot in a 6–0 win. But against Newcastle? That’s a different kind of game. The English side are physical, disciplined, tough to break down. Yamal’s the type who could actually tilt that balance.
Flick will have to look for other solutions. Sure, the squad has depth, but none of the options carry the same mix of creativity and intelligence in the final third. His absence, then, isn’t just tactical. It’s psychological, too. Newcastle will step on the pitch with relief, knowing they won’t have to deal with an 18-year-old who already plays like a star.