The recovery of Lamine Yamal has become a key focus for Barcelona fans in recent days. Following the club's medical report on Monday, which confirmed that the young forward had suffered a "grade one injury to the anterior tibiofibular ligament," with an estimated recovery time of "three to four weeks," there has been a flurry of expert opinions. Many have questioned or even criticized the diagnosis and the projected recovery time. Within the club, there has been some surprise at how quickly some have jumped to conclusions, without having all the medical data or even examining the player’s ankle.

Tests Reveal Less Severe Injury

However, as reported by AS, the tests Yamal underwent have significantly downplayed the severity of the injury. The primary concern among the medical staff was whether the twist he suffered during the match against Leganés had also affected the lateral ligament of the ankle. Fortunately, the tests completely ruled this out: Yamal’s injury only involves a part of the membrane covering the fibula and tibia, known as the syndesmosis. The fact that no damage was found to the lateral ligament has greatly eased the rehabilitation process and shortened the expected recovery time, which is why the initial prognosis of three to four weeks is still considered accurate.

No Additional Complications from Playing Through Pain

The medical team also noted that the fact Yamal remained on the field for nearly 50 minutes after suffering the injury did not make the situation worse. The player was examined during halftime, and after initial assessments, a compression bandage was applied to his right ankle, along with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication. He was instructed to request a substitution at the first sign of discomfort or worsening symptoms.

Optimism for Supercopa de España Return

Although the injury is not expected to be a major issue, the club remains cautious due to the similarity to a previous injury Yamal suffered just over a month ago. He missed matches against Real Sociedad, Celta, and Brest, but returned to action against Las Palmas. Currently, it’s anticipated that he will miss Barcelona’s upcoming fixtures against Atlético Madrid in La Liga on December 21 and Barbastro in the Copa del Rey on January 4, with all eyes now on the Supercopa de España semifinals against Athletic on January 8.

No Rush, Full Recovery Expected

The club is committed to not rushing Yamal’s recovery, and his return will depend entirely on how he feels. However, there is a high level of optimism within the club that he will be fully fit for the Supercopa. This confidence stems from the relatively minor nature of the injury, the lack of any other ligament damage, and the straightforward rehabilitation process in this area of the body.