Barcelona’s 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal will not be playing against Newcastle in their Champions League opener on Thursday night.
Fans in St James’ Park hoping to watch the Spanish superstar will be left disappointed, although there’s no doubt his absence is a boost for Eddie Howe’s men.
Yamal was absent for Barcelona’s 6-0 win against Valencia with a groin issue and that injury has kept him out of the travelling squad again.
The teenager played 79 minutes and 73 minutes against Bulgaria and Turkey for his country during the international break.
And club boss Hansi Flick was annoyed at the workload Spain put on their leading talent.
He said: ‘Lamine goes to the national team with pain, didn’t train and had painkillers to play.
Lamine Yamal will be absent for Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Newcastle
‘They were three goals up in every match and he played 79 and 73 minutes.
‘Between the matches, he didn’t train. This is not taking care of players.
Spain have the best team in the world and in every position they are unbelievably good. So I am really sad about this.’
No doubt there will be an electric atmosphere on Tyneside for the return of Europe’s most prestigious competiton.
The last time Newcastle were in the Champions League they failed to make it out of the group stage but the squad now looks deeper and better equipped to compete on multiple fronts.
It will be the fifth competitive meeting between the two clubs and the first since 2003.
A Faustino Asprilla hat-trick won a thrilling game 3-2 for Newcastle against the Catalan giants back in 1997.
With Barcelona’s attacking swagger under Flick, there could well be another brilliant encounter on the cards.
Alejandro Balde and Spain midfielder Gavi are also on the treatment table with Yamal and will not play a part.
Howe, meanwhile, will be without Yoan Wissa and Jacob Ramsey.
