Lamine Yamal looks set to make his return for Barcelona next Sunday. The eighteen-year-old forward missed the last four matches due to a groin injury but has now recovered.
Embed from Getty Images
Lamine Yamal looks set to make his long-awaited return for Barcelona next Sunday, bringing relief and excitement to the club and its supporters.
The eighteen-year-old forward, widely regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in world football, has been sidelined for the past four matches due to a groin injury. His absence left a notable void in Barcelona’s attack, as his creativity, dribbling ability, and fearless style of play have already made him a key figure in Hansi Flick’s plans despite his young age. Now, after weeks of recovery and rehabilitation, Yamal is finally fit again and could feature in the upcoming La Liga clash.
The encouraging news came directly from the player himself. On Instagram, Yamal posted a short but powerful message: I'm back! Those two words were enough to ignite excitement among the Barcelona faithful, who have been eagerly awaiting the return of their Golden Boy. The timing could hardly be better, with Barça scheduled to face Real Sociedad on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 18:30. While the club has not yet officially confirmed his availability, his post has fueled growing optimism that he will at least be included in the matchday squad for the trip to San Sebastián.
Yamal’s injury situation has been a subject of much debate in recent weeks. Head coach Hansi Flick openly criticized the way the teenager had been handled by the Spanish national team during the last international break, suggesting that his heavy workload was not managed properly. This sparked tension between Barcelona and the Spanish federation, with sporting director Aitor Karanka responding by denying any wrongdoing and insisting that the medical staff had acted responsibly. The disagreement added an extra layer of controversy around Yamal’s absence, with fans and pundits questioning whether more care should have been taken with one of Spain’s most valuable young assets.
Away from the pitch, Lamine Yamal was also in the spotlight for another reason this week. The winger finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting, behind former Barça player Ousmane Dembélé. It was a historic achievement for a player still in his teens, yet the result sparked debate. His father, speaking to Spanish media, expressed frustration at the outcome, stating that he felt Yamal deserved to win the award given his impact and consistency throughout the season. The comments quickly gained attention across Spain and beyond, adding to the ongoing narrative that Yamal is destined for greatness and perhaps even unfairly overlooked on the global stage.
For Barcelona, his return could not come at a more crucial moment. The team has been dealing with multiple absences, with young midfielders Fermín López and Gavi both sidelined due to injuries of their own. While their roles are different from Yamal’s, their absence has further reduced Flick’s options in terms of youthful energy and technical flair. The reintroduction of Yamal provides the squad with not just depth, but also a player capable of turning matches with moments of brilliance something Barcelona has sorely missed in recent weeks.
Looking ahead, Yamal’s availability is especially significant given Barcelona’s upcoming schedule. Just three days after facing Real Sociedad, the Blaugrana will travel to Paris for a high-profile Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain. It is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the group stage, and Flick will be eager to have as many of his key players available as possible. Whether Yamal starts against Sociedad or is eased back gradually, his presence will be a major boost heading into such an important European tie.
For fans, the excitement is palpable. Lamine Yamal has already been labeled as the future of Barcelona, and his performances have drawn comparisons to some of the club’s greatest talents. Every return from injury feels like a new chapter in the story of a teenager who is not only carrying the weight of expectation at Camp Nou but also becoming a symbol of hope for Spanish football. His comeback, if confirmed, will be one of the most talked-about moments of the weekend in La Liga.
Updated: 11:33, 26 Sep 2025
