Lamine Yamal has publicly addressed the numerous “lies” circulating about his groin injury following his impactful performance in Barcelona’s dramatic 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday. At just 18 years old, Yamal missed seven matches earlier this season due to issues related to pubalgia, with speculation suggesting that surgery might be necessary. However, he has since returned to play in Barcelona’s last five matches. Barcelona’s coach, Hansi Flick, acknowledged that Yamal is still managing this injury, but the young talent displayed no signs of discomfort against Brugge, scoring an exceptional solo goal and providing an assist. “I am good,” Yamal stated during the post-match press conference. “I try not to pay attention to the rumors. A lot has been said regarding my injury and my emotional state—it’s all untrue. I am committed to working hard to return to my best form, which is when I feel most fulfilled and enjoy the game the most.” In an exhilarating encounter at the Jan Breydel Stadium, Barcelona equalized three times, with goals from Ferran Torres, Yamal, and a late own goal by Christos Tzolis. Yamal’s goal, which marked the team’s second equalizer, stood out as he collected the ball from outside the box, outmaneuvered a defender, executed a one-two with Fermín López, and finished with precision. Yamal’s contribution extended beyond his goal, as he assisted in the third equalizer by delivering a cross that was inadvertently flicked in by Tzolis. “I am pleased to see Lamine perform at this level,” Flick remarked in the post-match conference. “However, we must remain cautious about what lies ahead; the situation is delicate. It is crucial for him to maintain focus on his training and treatment. If he navigates this properly, hopefully, he will overcome it soon, but timelines are uncertain.” Yamal’s skillful goal drew comparisons to Barcelona legend and current Inter Miami star Lionel Messi, a comparison he humbly downplayed. “I do not think it is fair to compare myself to Messi,” he stated. “He has scored thousands of goals like that. My aim is to carve out my own path and hopefully score many more goals in a similar fashion. I simply strive to perform at my best. That goal happened quickly; Fermín set me up nicely with a flick, allowing me to control the ball and finish effectively.” For the second consecutive week, Yamal faced a hostile reception from the crowd, having been jeered by Real Madrid fans previously. He reflected on this experience, stating, “I believe there is a reason I am the one being booed. If they are whistling at me, it likely means I am doing my job well. I am not concerned about that.” As a result of the draw in Brugge, Barcelona currently stands 11th in the Champions League standings with seven points from four games, while they hold the second position in LaLiga, trailing Real Madrid by five points ahead of their upcoming match against Celta Vigo this Sunday.
