Oliver Kahn Urges Lamine Yamal to Skip World Cup 2026 After Injury Scare

Former Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has reportedly advised Lamine Yamal to withdraw from the 2026 FIFA World Cup following his recent injury, warning the teenager not to repeat the mistake made by Samuel Umtiti.

“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 yesterday that Yamal suffered a hamstring injury to the biceps femoris in his left thigh.

The injury has already ended his club season, ruling him out of Barcelona’s final six La Liga matches, including the upcoming El Clásico.

There is still hope he could recover in time for Spain’s opening World Cup match against Cape Verde on June 15, but that remains uncertain and will depend entirely on his rehabilitation progress.

Oliver Kahn has advised Lamine Yamal not to go to the World Cup to avoid another Umtiti situation:

“I’m being brutally honest here, Lamine Yamal should forget the FIFA World Cup completely. People get emotional about these things, but football careers aren’t built on… pic.twitter.com/YsS0IiYIPg

— Vfynn_ 𐙚 (@Vfynn_) April 23, 2026

Kahn references Umtiti’s career decline

Kahn used Umtiti as an example of the danger of prioritizing short-term glory over long-term health. “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 famously played through chronic knee cartilage damage during the 2018 World Cup, helping France win the tournament, but his physical condition deteriorated significantly afterward. Playing with that injury was a sacrificial moment that directly led to his career’s decline.

Concerns have also grown over Yamal’s physical workload. Reports suggest the teenager has already played 71 professional matches while dealing with chronic pubic pain and signs of fatigue.

Kahn believes protecting his body now is the smartest path forward for the star winger.

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

“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 comments will most likely divide opinion. Some fans will want Yamal at the tournament, one that Spain enters as a favorite, while others believe preserving his long-term future should come first.

Read also: ‘I Will Come Back Stronger’: Yamal Sends Message After Season‑Ending Injury

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