Lamine Yamal provides fitness update as he returns to Barcelona after picking up knock in Spain's Nations League clash
Barcelona midifelder Lamine Yamal has provided a positive update since returning to his club after sustaining a muscle injury in Spain's 1-0 win over Denmark on Saturday (October 12).
Yamal, 17, was a standout performer for Spain in their Euro 2024 triumph this summer in Germany. He was expectedly picked in La Roja's squad for their UEFA Nations League clash with Denmark at the weekend.
The game in Murcia was eventually decided by a Martin Zubimendi 79th-minute strike. But victory was soured, as Yamal came off in the 93rd minute with a knock. The Spanish Federation (RFEF) later revealed that the teenager had suffered a muscle strain and was subsequently removed from the squad to take on Serbia in Cordoba to avoid jeopardising his health.
As per Barca Universal, Yamal said that he's recovering well:
"I'm better. Now is the time to recover."
Yamal has been in rousing form for his country in 2024, bagging three goals and nine assists in 13 games. That includes two goals and four assists in their aforementioned European Championship triumph this summer.
Although he didn't score in the 2-1 final win over England, Yamal provided the assist to Nico Williams for the opener before Mikel Oyarzabal's late winner gave La Roja a record fourth Euro title.
How has Lamine Yamal fared for Barcelona this season?
Lamine Yamal has seemingly continued from where he had left off last season, making a superb start to life under new Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, who replaced the legendary Xavi this summer.
In 11 games across competitions, the 17-year-old has contributed five goals and as many assists. That includes four goals and five assists in nine games in La Liga, where Barca are atop the standings, three points clear of second-placed holders Real Madrid (21).
Lamal's other goal this season came in Barca's 2-1 UEFA Champions League defeat at AS Monaco in their campaign opener last month. They bounced back from the surprise loss with a 5-0 shellacking of Swiss side BSC Young Boys at home on matchday two, with striker Robert Lewandowski starring with a brace.
Overall, Lamal has 12 goals and 14 assists in 62 games across competitions for Barcelona, having made his first-team debut in the 2022-23 season. Last season, the youngster contributed seven goals and nine assists in 50 outings across competitions in what was a trophyless season for his club.