When Clasico Clocks Hit: Why Yamal's Form Slipped and the Doctor Spoke Truth

Pedro Luis Ribol, a sports-medicine doctor, revealed the reasons behind Lamine Yamal's decline in form for Barcelona during the latest Clasico against Real Madrid.

Barcelona lost to their arch-rivals Real Madrid last Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu, by 2-1, in La Liga's tenth round.

The match saw little danger from Yamal, who looked like an ordinary player for Barca.

Catalan daily Sport carried a detailed explanation by Dr. Pedro Luis Ribol of the injury Yamal suffered in the groin area at the start of the current season, noting it is a painful issue to treat and slow to heal.

Ribol stressed that groin pain is an agonizing condition that markedly reduces the player's performance.

Ribol further revealed that players with this injury experience roughly a 50 percent reduction in mobility and shooting ability.

The paper noted that the doctor's statements underscore the severity of the condition and its direct impact on Yamal's performance on the pitch.

It explained that the injury hampers his shooting accuracy and movement.

In his remarks, the doctor called it a chronic injury, meaning the worst may still be ahead.

The paper also noted that Lionel Messi once suffered thigh issues at different stages of his career, but with treatment he later regained top form.

When did the decline begin?

The paper suggested that Yamal's struggles partly stem from the groin injury sustained during the October 1 Paris Saint-Germain match, which affected his second-half performance.

Nevertheless, he underwent a specialized rehab program to regain match fitness, starting 64 minutes against Girona, substituted in a 1-1 draw, then 75 minutes vs Olympiakos, before finishing the Clasico in a subdued display not befitting his talent.

Despite drifting away from his usual speed and passing accuracy able to unlock lines, Barca's coach does not see signs of his muscular problems returning.

He has trained with the squad without setbacks, taking advantage of a week without matches to prepare for the upcoming Elche and gradually raise his rhythm.

Barcelona officials want Yamal to focus on the on-pitch performances, after drawing excessive attention off the pitch.

Despite his young age 18, Yamal lives a life in the spotlight on social media, sharing daily life details and even his friends' friendly matches at the sports city; last Thursday he streamed a match for friends while teammates took part in the media day before the Clasico, and he attended later that night the King s League events, appearing again the next day.

These actions did not go down well with German coach Hans Flick, who had pointed to a purported ego in the squad after Valladolid and Yamal was not exempt.

Yamal in Flick's eyes

Before Barca's clash with Paris Saint-Germain, Flick made it clear he is an exceptional player but he needs to focus on the work, a blunt message that sums up what the young star needs at this stage.

The paper noted that Yamal's journey from Clasico hero to a pale presence at Barca is an early warning for him and the club; talent alone is not enough to stay at the top discipline and hard work are the only path to reclaim the shine he drew last year at the Bernabeu.

Shaming Yamal's dad

Before the Clasico, Munir Nasrawi, Yamal's father, teased Real Madrid fans by going live on Instagram while cooking, saying I cook here and my son will cook them there.

But Yamal failed to deliver on the pitch, leaving his father embarrassed.

Overall, Yamal heated the atmosphere before and during the Clasico; his comments fueled the post match fireworks, but he ultimately did not deliver, making himself easy prey for critics.

Yamal had issued provocative remarks before the Clasico accusing Real Madrid of refereeing advantage and filing complaints.

Punchline 1: In football as in stand-up, timing is everything and Yamal's timing lately is stuck in the training room.

Punchline 2: If talent were a contract Barca would be negotiating a renewal because the only thing that sprinted today was the medical team's stopwatch.