Barcelona boss Hansi Flick confirms Lamine Yamal will miss Champions League clash; names potential return date
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has confirmed that Lamine Yamal will miss the upcoming Champions League tie against Stade Brestois on Tuesday, November 26. The Catalans face the Ligue 1 club at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in their fifth game in Europe this season.
The LaLiga giants have been without Lamine Yamal since before the international break. The Spaniard picked up an ankle injury in the 5-2 win over Crvena zvezda on Matchday four of the Champions League.
The 17-year-old subsequently missed Barcelona's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad as well as last weekend's 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo. It is clear that the Catalans are missing their talisman at the moment.
Recent reports had already claimed that Yamal wouldn't be available for the midweek game. Flick has now confirmed those fears.
Speaking recently, as cited by Forbes, the German manager added that the teenager could return for Barcelona's league game against Las Palmas on Saturday, November 30.
"Lamine's quality is very good, he gives us a lot. I think it will be the last game he misses, today he seems to be better. I think Saturday could be an option [against Las Palmas], maybe he will be on the bench. We have to wait, we'll see," said Flick.
Lamine Yamal has registered six goals and eight assists from 16 games across competitions for the Catalans this season.
When does Lamine Yamal's contract with Barcelona expire?
Lamine Yamal's contract with Barcelona runs until 2026. However, a recent report from El Chiringuito has stated that the player has already agreed to a new deal.
The teenager was reportedly the subject of an intense pursuit from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this summer. The Catalans apparently turned down a multimillion-dollar bid for their prized asset from the Ligue 1 champions.
Yamal had become hot property over the summer following a breakthrough campaign with the LaLiga giants. The Spaniard registered seven goals and nine assists from 50 games across competitions under Xavi last season.
His playing style has drawn comparisons with Lionel Messi and the Parisians apparently viewed him as a possible successor for Kylian Mbappe. However, Barcelona held firm and refused to let him go.
The Catalans have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with the player's camp regarding a new six-year deal that will keep Yamal at Camp Nou until 2031. Only the official signing is pending, which will be completed once the player turns 18 next summer.
