Lamine Yamal missed training ahead of the 2026 World Cup final, sparking fears he could miss the showdown between Spain and Argentina.
Spain beat tournament favourites France and Argentina knocked out England in heart-breaking fashion to reach Sunday’s final in New Jersey.
La Roja are aiming to win their second World Cup after the ‘Golden Generation’ triumphed in 2010 but there are once again fitness concerns surrounding key forward Yamal.
The Barcelona wonderkid came into the tournament carrying a hamstring injury and had to be used sparingly in the group stage.
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The 19-year-old has managed to play every minute of the knockout stages so far and while he has played well, it is clear he is not 100 per cent, recording just one goal and no assists in seven appearances.
Yamal’s involvement in the final could be in doubt now, after he missed training on Thursday, and was pictured wearing strapping on his left thigh.
The winger was filmed sitting on a yoga mate on the pitch and seemed to be in some discomfort as he spoke to head coach Luis de la Fuente.
He was not the only Spain player to miss training however, with Pedro Porro also on the sidelines, a great worry given how impressive the Tottenham right-back has been at the World Cup, scoring twice, including in the semi-final against France.
Multiple Spanish outlets including AS report that Yamal and Porro’s absence is nothing to be concerned about, and that De la Fuente is simply managing their workload ahead of the biggest match of their lives.
Nevertheless, it is a situation to keep an eye on over the next few days as all eyes turn to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Many have billed the match as the battle between two generational Barcelona talents: Yamal and Lionel Messi, with many fans desperate to see the two face-off against each other.
‘Hopefully we can put the icing on the cake in five days’ time,’ Spain captain and top scorer Mikel Oyarzabal said after the semi-final.
‘We’ve earned the right to dream, to have the title in our sights.
‘If I get the chance to help out [in the final] without scoring a goal, I’ll be just as happy.’
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