Lamine Yamal: How Barcelona Teen Sensation Can Manage 'Incurable' Groin Problem

Lamine Yamal has a groin issue that has caused him a lot of pain this season but with the condition reportedly incurable, he has a number of ways to manage it.

Barcelona's teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, is reportedly battling a chronic groin condition that could be incurable, casting a shadow over his meteoric rise.

The 18-year-old has already missed several matches this season with what the club has described as "a problem in his pubic area."

The winger was visibly in discomfort during Barcelona's recent 2-1 El Clasico loss to Real Madrid, fueling speculation about the severity of his injury.

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According to Spanish publication Sport, Yamal is suffering from pubalgia, a condition that club officials fear may be a long-term issue without a definitive cure.

Pubalgia, sometimes known as a sports hernia, is caused by an imbalance in the muscles around the groin and abdomen. Unlike a typical muscle strain, it results in persistent pain and discomfort where the muscles converge. Treatment usually involves rest and physical therapy, which Yamal will hope is enough to maintain his explosive form.

A former Barcelona physiotherapist suggested to Sport that the issue could be related to his rapid physical development.

"We can say that there are multiple factors that cause this pain in the pubis," the physio explained as quoted by Dailymail.

"This can be caused by their growth stage, in which their body statics have changed... We will have to live with it and we will have to do preventive and compensatory work to give it guarantees to be able to play at the highest level."

A Familiar Struggle for Football Legends

Despite the concerning diagnosis, there is a significant precedent for managing the condition. Lionel Messi, one of Yamal's predecessors at Barcelona, also struggled with pubalgia throughout his career but still reached unparalleled heights.

"Pubalgia is complicated," Messi told a Buenos Aires radio station six years ago. "I suffer from it for a while now, I do little training and I can not play all the games. It is not a problem that can be solved overnight. I feel better now, but I still have not recovered and I still need treatment."

This history offers hope that Yamal can similarly manage the injury without it derailing his promising career. The young star has already made a significant impact, scoring twice and providing five assists in just six LaLiga appearances this season, in addition to a goal in the Champions League.

Club and Country at Odds Over Workload

Managing Yamal's playing time has become a point of contention between Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick previously expressed his frustration with how the national side handled the player's fitness.

"Lamine goes to the national team with pain, didn't train and had painkillers to play," Flick stated. "They were three goals up in every match and he played 79 and 73 minutes... This is not taking care of players."

However, Flick recently provided a more positive update, reassuring fans about the youngster's progress. "Lamine is fine, although some days he still feels a bit of discomfort," he said. "He is progressing well, that’s important. I spoke to Lamine. I'm always going to protect and help him."

Off-Field Moves for Football's Highest-Profile Teen

Yamal's incredible on-field success, which includes two LaLiga titles and a Euro 2024 trophy at just 18, has brought immense off-field attention. As one of the highest-paid teenagers in world football, reportedly earning £325,000 per week, he is making significant investments.

According to Spanish newspaper El Pais, Yamal is considering purchasing the sprawling mansion once owned by former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique and his ex-wife, Shakira.

The property, built in 2012, was originally listed for €14 million (£12m) but is now valued at €11 million (£9.5m) after a portion was sold separately. The remaining estate includes two homes with six bedrooms and five bathrooms, which Yamal would reportedly renovate extensively.

This potential purchase follows reports that the young star has already bought new homes for his mother, father, and grandmother, highlighting the importance of family in his life away from the pitch.

Over the summer, the Spanish footballer publicly confirmed his relationship with 25-year-old Argentine pop sensation Nicki Nicole. She has since become a familiar face at Camp Nou, frequently attending matches to support him this season.