Barcelona receive welcome Lamine Yamal injury boost

Barcelona expect Lamine Yamal to return to training for the first session of 2025 after recovering from a second ankle injury sustained in December.

He missed the 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid and the final training session of 2024. Yamal is expected to be fit for Barcelona's Copa del Rey match against Barbastro on January 4 but is likely to be rested to aid his recovery.

His likely return is set for the Supercopa de España semi-final against Athletic Club on January 8. Barcelona's current form, with only one win in their last seven games, has seen them drop from first to third in La Liga, adding pressure on coach Hansi Flick ahead of 2025.