Dr Ripoll, a renowned sports medicine specialist, has issued a warning regarding Lamine Yamal: “I don’t believe he will be ready for the World Cup opener; caution is the only sensible path. I see him returning for a potential round of 16 tie.”
Lamine Yamal’s latest medical update proved to be a double-edged sword: while it confirmed his domestic season is over, it kept the door open for a World Cup call-up. Nevertheless, renowned sports medicine expert Pedro Luis Ripoll has urged caution over the teenager’s return to the pitch.
“Nine FC Barcelona players have previously dealt with this specific injury, and six of them suffered at least one setback. If his return to competitive action is rushed, there is a significant risk of re-injury,” the doctor warned in a statement to ‘SER’.
Dr Ripoll stressed that the recovery timeline depends less on match dates and more on training load. “It is not just about missing matches; it is about missing training. A player needs to complete at least six full sessions under his belt before competing at maximum intensity. That would require him to be back in full training by late May, which I believe is extraordinarily risky.”
Consequently, Dr Ripoll argues that the most realistic goal for Lamine Yamal is the knockout stages rather than the group phase. “I don’t expect him to be fit for the first World Cup match; that is the only sensible outlook. With the group games coming thick and fast, I see Lamine reaching full fitness for a potential second-round tie, assuming Spain advance. We must proceed with the utmost care.”
El Doctor Ripoll hablo de la lesion de Lamine Yamal
The specialist also addressed the debate over whether Barca’s ’10’ was already carrying a knock before stepping up for his penalty. “While ‘aggravate’ might not be the precise term, he should have requested a substitution the moment he first felt pain… Young players often let their eagerness cloud their judgement. At this stage of the campaign, with a World Cup on the horizon, any sign of discomfort should result in an immediate withdrawal. We must avoid all unnecessary risks. Stepping up for that penalty was a gamble, and unfortunately, it was one that didn’t pay off,” he added.
