Lamine Yamal, the young forward for Barcelona and the Spanish national team, is currently sidelined due to a groin injury sustained during the UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain on September 27, 2023. The 18-year-old is taking this international break to recover, raising concerns about his physical well-being as he has already played an astonishing 130 senior matches and logged over 8,158 minutes on the pitch by his 18th birthday.
With such an intense workload, questions about potential burnout loom large. No other elite player has come close to matching Yamal’s appearance and minutes played at such a young age. This unusual situation prompted FIFPRO, the global players’ union, to highlight Yamal’s experience in their recent report titled “Overworked and Underprotected—Player Health and Performance Impact.”
Dr. Darren Burgess, Chair of FIFPRO’s High-Performance Advisory Network, emphasized the risks young players face in today’s demanding football environment. He noted, “The modern game’s rising intensity is challenging enough for established professionals, but for young players aged 16 to 20, the risks are even greater.” The concerns are particularly acute for players like Yamal, whose bodies and minds are still developing while they are subjected to high-intensity training and congested schedules.
Yamal’s usage in matches has been striking compared to his peers. Before turning 18, he had nearly double the appearances of other notable players, including Pau Cubarsí (69 appearances), Gavi (60), and Pedri (49). His performances last season earned him the 2024 Golden Boy award, distinguishing him as the most outstanding Under-21 footballer in Europe.
In contrast, previous winners of this accolade did not reach such high numbers. Jude Bellingham, who was closest, had 6,216 minutes by his 18th birthday. Gavi and Pedri had significantly lower totals at 4,195 and 3,811 minutes, respectively. The trend raises alarm bells about the physical toll on young athletes.
Since making his debut for Barcelona at just 15 years and 9 months against Real Betis in April 2023, Yamal has been relatively fortunate with injuries, missing only 18 games. Nevertheless, his current situation could sideline him for up to a month, jeopardizing his participation in upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria, as well as the highly anticipated El Clasico against Real Madrid on October 26, 2025.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed concern about the injury, stating, “We don’t know when Lamine will return because with this injury, it’s not easy to say. We have to manage his minutes. He’ll take it step-by-step.” Flick has been vocal about the handling of Yamal’s situation, particularly criticizing the Spanish national team for their use of him during the recent World Cup qualifiers. He remarked, “He went to the national team in pain, played, and was given painkillers to play. That’s not taking care of the players.”
In response, Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente defended their approach, expressing surprise at Flick’s comments, given his experience managing a national team. The tension between club and country over player welfare is not new.
Historically, young talents like Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen have faced similar pressures, often rushing back to action only to suffer long-term consequences. Dr. Burgess cautioned about the implications of pushing young athletes too hard, stating, “Physically, exposing teenagers to repeated match and training loads designed for fully mature players increases the risk of overuse injuries.”
As Barcelona and Spain navigate the future of their rising star, they hold the responsibility to ensure Yamal’s career is not hindered by overexertion. The football community must prioritize development over exploitation to allow young talents to flourish without compromising their health.
Yamal’s potential is undeniable, but as he navigates the early stages of his career, it is crucial that both his club and national team take the necessary steps to protect him from the pitfalls of early success.
