Barcelona’s Rising Star Lamine Yamal Ruled Out of Champions League Clash Against Newcastle with Groin Injury
Barcelona will be without one of their brightest young talents, Lamine Yamal, for Thursday’s highly anticipated UEFA Champions League group stage clash against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. The 18-year-old forward has been sidelined with a groin injury sustained during international duty with Spain.
Yamal, who has enjoyed a breakout season with two goals and two assists in LaLiga so far, did not feature in Barça’s 2–0 win over Valencia last weekend and will now also miss the European opener in England. The club confirmed his absence on Wednesday when announcing the squad that traveled to Newcastle.
Head coach Hansi Flick didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration over how Spain’s national team managed Yamal’s workload during the international break. Sources close to the club say the coaching staff is particularly upset because Yamal had shown signs of fatigue before joining the national side — something they feel wasn’t taken seriously enough.
“He’s a young player, still developing physically. We expect better coordination between club and country when it comes to protecting someone like Lamine,” Flick reportedly told Catalan media.
Injury List Grows for Barça
Yamal is not the only name missing from the squad. The Catalan giants are also without full-back Alejandro Balde and midfielder Gavi — both dealing with injuries that will keep them sidelined for the foreseeable future. Gavi, in particular, is facing a long recovery after tearing his ACL last year, a blow that also came while on international duty.
Veteran goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen remains out following back surgery, although his recovery is progressing as expected. However, there’s some good news: midfield maestro Frenkie de Jong has been declared fit and is set to return, providing a much-needed boost to Barça’s midfield stability.
A Tough Test at St. James’ Park
Barcelona’s visit to Newcastle is a crucial one. After being knocked out in the semi-finals last season, the Blaugrana are determined to go further this time around. But the atmosphere at St. James’ Park, known for its intensity, will be a tough test — especially against a Newcastle side hungry to prove themselves in Europe after missing out on the Champions League last season.
For Newcastle, this match marks a return to Europe’s elite competition — a momentous occasion for the club and its fans, who haven’t seen Champions League football in years. Manager Eddie Howe’s men are expected to come out with high energy, and the absence of key players like Yamal and Gavi could tilt the balance slightly in the home side’s favor.
