Lamine Yamal has been included in Barcelona’s squad for the upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, but he has yet to receive full medical clearance. Amidst ongoing institutional noise, manager Hansi Flick is about to receive an exciting New Year’s gift: the potential return of Yamal for the Spanish Super Cup. 

However, this return carries some uncertainty, as the forward has had limited training with the squad, and his physical condition in the coming hours will be crucial in determining whether he starts against Athletic Club.

Injury and Recovery

Yamal’s last match was on December 15, when he suffered an ankle injury during a game against Leganés. This Sunday marks three weeks since the injury, which had raised concerns, especially since it affected the same area that had troubled him earlier in the season. On January 2, the club shared that Yamal had joined the group for some of the training sessions, bringing some optimism.

After Barcelona’s Copa del Rey win over Barbastro, Flick remained hopeful. "I think Lamine will be able to play on Wednesday against Athletic," he said. The reality is that Barcelona needs Yamal; with the first trophy of the year up for grabs in Saudi Arabia, Flick is eager to have his most impactful attacking player back in action as soon as possible.

A Slower Recovery Than Expected

Despite the optimism, recovery timelines don’t always align with expectations. After his injury, Yamal had to wear a medical boot until December 29, which restricted his movement. He couldn’t do any cardiovascular exercises during this period. While on Christmas vacation in Dubai, his mobility was limited, and it wasn’t until he returned to Barcelona that he resumed training with the team. This means Yamal has only had one week of active recovery, just days before the semifinal against Athletic.

Caution Over Risking Injury

Yamal, still only 17 years old, is cautious about rushing his recovery, especially considering how some of his teammates have been affected by returning too soon after injuries. He is keen to help the team but understands that he should only do so when fully fit. Given that he will have only a couple of full training sessions with the team before the match, starting him against Athletic seems uncertain.

The reality is that, without Dani Olmo and with other attacking options uncertain, Flick’s offensive options remain limited. Therefore, it’s likely Yamal will start on the bench, depending on his physical condition after these final training sessions. The coach will have to carefully consider whether to risk him as a starter or keep him as an option to make an impact later in the match. After all, there’s always the possibility of extra time, and Flick knows that it’s important to avoid any further setbacks for Yamal.

The next few days will be critical for determining whether the highly anticipated return of one of Barcelona’s brightest young talents will happen against Athletic Club or if he’ll have to wait a little longer for a starting role.