Concerns Raised Over Lamine Yamal's Intense Playing Schedule

Fifpro has mapped out young football stars and, among other things, compared them to previous teenage stars. According to the report, Barcelona and the Spanish national team's star Lamine Yamal, 18 years old, has played 130 senior matches - significantly more than previous comparable players in Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Andrés Iniesta had played 40 senior matches at the age of 18 and Gavi 60.

It's really alarming, says Darren Burgess to AP.

He means that players are not fully grown and developed until they are 24-25 years old.

Exposing them (teenagers) to high loads at that age certainly means exposing them to a greater risk of injury, he says.

Extra sensitive in their teens

During the teenage years, growth plates, tendons, and ligaments are extra sensitive and short runs at high speed can lead to long-term injuries, writes Fifpro.

”What starts with a minor problem, such as a thigh strain, a stress fracture - can quickly become an injury pattern that haunts the player throughout their career", the report states.

Several of the players who have been named Young Player of the Year (Golden Boy) have had problems with recurring injuries. Among them are Anthony Martial, Renato Sanchez, and Isco. Others who broke through early have also had major injury concerns, such as Paul Pogba, Mario Götze, and Mario Balotelli.

Limit the playing

One also means that the mental strain should not be underestimated. Young players who are pressed to perform at an elite level, often in the spotlight from the media and fans, can, in combination with fatigue from too much playing, get exhaustion problems, anxiety, and lose confidence.

Fifpro believes that young players must be better protected so as not to have their careers ruined. This is done through age-appropriate training, clear limitations on playing, and above all, that they get enough rest.

Barcelona's coach Hansi Flick was not lenient in his criticism of the Spanish national team management, which let Lamine Yamal play a lot in the World Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria and Turkey in September, despite injury concerns.

It's shameful. He was in pain when he came to the national team and got to play 73 and 79 minutes on painkillers. It's not taking care of the player. Spain has the best players in every position, then it might be worth taking care of young players, said Flick.