Oliver Kahn warns Lamine Yamal against risking career for World Cup

Oliver Kahn has delivered a blunt message to Lamine Yamal, urging the young star to withdraw from the FIFA World Cup 2026 following his recent injury scare.

“I’m being brutally honest here, Lamine Yamal should forget the FIFA World Cup completely,” Kahn said bluntly.

The warning comes after FC Barcelona confirmed that Yamal suffered a hamstring injury to the biceps femoris in his left thigh, effectively ending his club season.

Season Cut Short at a Crucial Time

The injury has ruled Yamal out of Barcelona’s remaining six La Liga fixtures, including the highly anticipated El Clásico.

While there is still a possibility he could recover in time for Spain’s opening World Cup game against Cape Verde national team on June 15, his availability remains uncertain and will depend entirely on his rehabilitation progress.

Umtiti’s Case Serves as a Warning

Kahn pointed to the experience of Samuel Umtiti as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of prioritising immediate success over long-term fitness.

“We’ve seen this movie before with Samuel Umtiti, choosing short-term glory over long-term health, and it cost him years at the top.”

Umtiti played through chronic knee cartilage damage during the 2018 World Cup, helping France lift the trophy, but his condition worsened significantly afterwards, leading to a sharp decline in his career.

Growing Concerns Over Workload

There are increasing worries about Yamal’s physical condition beyond the current injury. Reports suggest the teenager has already featured in 71 professional matches while managing chronic pubic pain and signs of fatigue.

Kahn believes this is precisely why caution is necessary at this stage of his career.

“Yamal has three, maybe four World Cups ahead of him if he’s smart, but only if he protects his body now,” he argued.

A Defining Decision Ahead

The former goalkeeper emphasised that stepping back now could be the key to long-term dominance.

“Sometimes the hardest decision is the right one. Skip it, recover properly, and come back dominating for the next decade. Or rush it… and spend the next decade explaining what could have been.”

Kahn’s remarks are likely to divide opinion. While some fans will hope to see Yamal feature for Spain national team at the tournament, others will see merit in prioritising his long-term future over immediate participation.