On 22/4, Yamal was in Madrid for the Laureus Sports Awards, where he won the outstanding young athlete award. After the ceremony, the 18-year-old star posted a photo of himself with a tray of McDonald's fast food inside a private jet. The flight took him from Madrid to Barcelona in less than one hour.

On the evening of 23/4, Barca hosted Celta Vigo at Camp Nou in the 33rd round of La Liga. Yamal started, scoring the only goal from a penalty kick in the 28th minute. Immediately after the shot, the Spanish winger limped off the field. A medical check on 24/4 revealed he had torn his left hamstring muscle.

Barca confirmed Yamal will miss the rest of the domestic season. They hope he can recover before the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off on 11/6. Spain faces Cape Verde in their opening match on 15/6. The estimated recovery time is six to eight weeks, leaving Yamal's availability for Spain's first World Cup match uncertain.

Lamine Yamal pictured with fast food on 22/4/2026. Photo: IGNV

Juan Furlanich, a reporter for the Futbol Total program on DSports, criticized Yamal live on air. "It's unbelievable that Yamal injured himself while taking a penalty kick. I'm not joking. He got injured from a penalty kick", Furlanich said.

The main reason for the criticism of Yamal was the fast food. "A player, less than 48 hours before a match, still jokingly eating fast food at midnight on a private jet", the Argentinian reporter added. "I believe none of this is a coincidence. It relates to the consequences of not training well, not getting enough rest, not taking care of one's body, and taking risks."

Furlanich suggested that Yamal was not secretly photographed but rather posted those images himself on social media. Fast food and processed foods are generally unsuitable for professional athletes due to their high fat content. Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo famously adheres to a strict no-fast-food policy, even refusing all carbonated drinks.

Yamal has been a key player for Barca this season. He has scored 12 goals and provided 18 assists in 41 matches across all competitions. Barca currently leads La Liga with 85 points, 11 points ahead of Real Madrid with four rounds remaining. Coach Hansi Flick's team has one hand on the championship, so Yamal's injury will not significantly impact their objectives.

At the national team level, Yamal is a Euro 2024 champion with Spain. He is expected to lead the team in conquering the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

The 18-year-old star, however, remains optimistic despite an injury that could hinder his first World Cup appearance. On 24/4, Yamal posted on Instagram: "This injury takes me off the field when I most want to play. The pain is beyond what I can express. I believe in my teammates. I will come back stronger. Thank you everyone for your messages."

Barca players also offered words of encouragement to Yamal. Teammate Marcus Rashford commented below: "Get well soon, little brother."

Compiled by Hoang An