Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal has been diagnosed with a chronic groin condition that doctors reportedly say has no cure. The 18-year-old, who has already established himself as one of the brightest young talents in world football, is believed to be suffering from a condition known as Pubalgia.

Yamal, who made his first-team debut for Barcelona in August 2023 at just 15 years old, has since gone on to achieve remarkable success. He has won two La Liga titles and lifted the Euro 2024 trophy with Spain, quickly rising to prominence as one of football’s next great stars.

However, concerns over his long-term fitness have now surfaced after reports from Spanish outlet Sport revealed that Yamal’s ongoing groin issues are related to Pubalgia, a painful condition that affects the muscles converging in the pubic area. According to the report, medical staff at Barcelona fear the condition may be incurable, though it can be managed through treatment and careful workload management.

During Barcelona’s recent 2–1 defeat to Real Madrid in El Clásico, Yamal appeared to be struggling physically. Observers noted moments where he grimaced in pain but continued to play the full match. Despite his determination, it was clear he was not performing at his usual level.

Since the start of the 2025/26 season, Yamal has missed several matches in both La Liga and the Champions League as Barcelona manager Hansi Flick and his medical team have tried to manage the recurring issue. The club’s medical department is said to be working around the clock to find a sustainable way to keep him fit while protecting his long-term career.

Physiotherapist Lluis Puig provided insight into the nature of the condition, explaining: “First of all, we must say that Pubalgia is not a muscle injury, but rather an alteration in the pubic area, where different muscles converge. We have to work on different levels, and we can’t say that it’s an injury that will be gone in a month.”

He added, “No, we’ll have to live with it, and we’ll have to do preventative and compensatory work to give him the assurances to be able to play at the highest level.”

Yamal is not the first Barcelona player to battle Pubalgia. Lionel Messi previously revealed in 2019 that he suffered from the same condition during his time at the club. In an interview with Buenos Aires radio station club94.7, Messi said: “Pubalgia is complicated. I suffer from it for a while now, I do little training and I cannot play all the games. It is not a problem that can be solved overnight. I feel better now, but I still have not recovered and I still need treatment.”

Messi managed the condition throughout his career, going on to win a record eight Ballon d’Or awards. Barcelona fans will now be hoping that Yamal, who has often been hailed as Messi’s natural successor, can find similar resilience to maintain his world-class performances despite the setback.

The news comes as a major concern for both Barcelona and Spain, with Yamal seen as a cornerstone of their future success. While the full impact of the diagnosis remains to be seen, the young forward’s determination and talent suggest he will fight to continue shining on the world stage.

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