Lamine Yamal calls reports on Barcelona injury spell ‘lies’
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal dismissed reports about his recent injury troubles as “lies” after inspiring his team’s 3–3 draw with Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old, who missed seven games earlier this season due to pubalgia, returned to form with a goal and an assist as Barcelona came from behind three times at the Jan Breydel Stadium. Yamal has started Barça’s last five matches, easing concerns over a possible long-term setback that some reports had suggested might require surgery.
“I am good,” Yamal told reporters after the match. “A lot has been said about my injury and that I was sad. It was all lies. I just wanted to work hard to get back to this level, which is when I feel the best and have the most fun.”
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick confirmed that Yamal continues to manage the issue but praised the teenager’s attitude and performance. “I am happy that Lamine is back at this level,” Flick said. “But we don’t know what tomorrow brings. The important thing is that he manages this situation properly with focus, training, and treatment.”
Yamal’s standout moment came midway through the second half when he collected the ball outside the box, dribbled past a defender, combined with Fermín López in a quick one-two, and finished clinically to make it 2–2. His driving run later forced an own goal from Christos Tzolis, securing a valuable point for Barça.
Despite comparisons to Lionel Messi following his solo strike, the Spain international was quick to temper expectations. “I can’t compare myself with Messi,” he said. “He’s scored thousands of goals like that. I have to make my own way and hope to score many more goals like that.”
Yamal also faced jeers from the home crowd in Bruges, similar to those he received recently at the Santiago Bernabéu, but he appeared unfazed. “If they’re whistling me, it’s because I’m doing my job well on the pitch,” he said. “I’m not worried about that.”
The draw leaves Barcelona with seven points from four matches in Group F, sitting 11th overall in the Champions League standings. Domestically, they remain second in LaLiga, five points behind leaders Real Madrid ahead of Sunday’s trip to Celta Vigo.