Credits: IMAGO / Revierfoto

Hansi Flick Shares Worrisome News About Lamine Yamal El Clasico Return

Credits: IMAGO / Revierfoto

Barcelona’s preparations for the upcoming El Clasico have been overshadowed by fresh uncertainty surrounding Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old prodigy is one of Hansi Flick’s most trusted players. He has suffered a relapse of a groin problem that has troubled him since September.

The setback occurred after Barcelona’s Champions League defeat to PSG. The youngster left the pitch in visible discomfort. Medical assessments later confirmed that Yamal had reaggravated his pubic injury. It was the same one that forced him to miss four matches earlier this season.

🚨 Hansi Flick: “I don't know if Lamine Yamal will be ready for El Clásico”.

“It's a complicated injury; it's not easy to say whether he can play in two or three weeks. We'll take it step by step”. pic.twitter.com/6N9opc5UKp
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 4, 2025

The club has placed an initial recovery window of two to three weeks. However, manager Hansi Flick explained that predicting an exact timeline is nearly impossible. In Saturday’s press conference ahead of La Blaugrana’s away clash against Sevilla, the coach said:

“We don’t know when Lamine will return because with this injury, it’s not easy to say since it’s not a muscle injury. We don’t know if he’ll be back in two, three, or four weeks. I don’t know if he’ll be ready for the Clasico. We have to manage his minutes. He’ll take it step by step.”

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Hansi Flick’s Caution for Lamine Yamal

Flick confirmed that he recently spoke with Lamine Yamal and admitted that while there’s been slight progress, the overall situation ‘is not good’. He emphasized the need for patience, noting that a pubic injury depends largely on pain tolerance and stability rather than a defined medical recovery period.

The issue first emerged during the September international break with Spain. It became a situation that prompted Flick to criticize the Spanish national team for overusing the teenager. While Spain coach Luis de la Fuente later acknowledged Yamal was not fully fit at that time, Flick stood by his remarks. Speaking to the reporters, he said, “I want to protect my player.”

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Barcelona’s Growing Injury Concerns

Yamal’s setback adds to Barcelona’s growing injury list. That short list already includes Gavi, Raphinha, and Marc-Andreter Stegen. Flick now faces a selection dilemma ahead of fixtures against Sevilla on Sunday and against Girona, and Olympiacos after the international break.

Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, or Fermin Lppez could be called upon to fill the creative void left by the teenager. With just over three weeks left until the El Clasico showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu. Yamal’s recovery will be closely monitored. For now, Lamine Yamal remains in a race against time.

Barcelona

El Clasico

Hansi Flick

Lamine Yamal

Real Madrid

Moumita Dutta

soccer

Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.