Yamal to miss Barcelona’s US tour
Lamine Yamal is set to miss Barcelona’s preseason tour of the United States after helping Spain win the European Championship this summer.
Yamal, 17, set up the first goal in the final as Spain beat England 2-1 in Berlin and was named as the Young Player of the Tournament in Germany.
The forward is now entitled to 21 days off, per an agreement brokered by the Spanish Footballers’ Association [AFE], with Barça’s first fixture in the U.S against Manchester City on July 30 in Orlando.
The Catalan side are then due to play Real Madrid on Aug. 3 in New Jersey before wrapping up their tour with a game against AC Milan on Aug. 6 in Baltimore.
Yamal’s participation at Euro 2024, where he scored one goal and assisted four more, ended on Sunday as Spain lifted the trophy in the Germany for a record-breaking fourth time.
He then returned to Madrid with the rest of his international teammates on Monday to meet the Spanish King, the Prime Minister of the country and to continue the celebrations with the supporters.
On Tuesday, he was back in Barcelona, where he fulfilled various commercial commitments, including a tour of the redevelopment work taking place at Spotify Camp Nou alongside new coach, Hansi Flick, and teammates, Pedri and Gavi.
Later on Tuesday, he was finally able to celebrate turning 17 last Saturday, on the eve of the win over England, at a dinner with family and friends.
Wednesday, therefore, marks the start of his time off, which will end on Aug. 7 when he is expected back in for preseason training ahead of the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Monaco at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 12.
Barça then begin their La Liga campaign on Aug. 17 with a trip to Valencia.
Yamal was already a first team regular at Barça. After making his debut aged 15, he made 50 appearances last season, but his status in the game has grown even more on the back of his performances at Euro 2024.
He played last season with a youth team registration still, but will be officially promoted to the first team ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, which will mean a new shirt number. Sources say he is likely to take the No.19 shirt, which he also wears for Spain.
Other members of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad will also miss the tour of the U.S, although for differing reasons.—ESPN
