FC Barcelona have received a major injury boost ahead of the most anticipated match of the season, as teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is on track to return in time for the El Clásico clash against Real Madrid on October 26 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

According to reports from the Catalan club’s medical team, the 16-year-old prodigy is undergoing an intensive rehabilitation program and is expected to rejoin full training by October 18. If his recovery stays on course, Yamal could see limited minutes against Girona in La Liga and potentially feature in the Champions League fixture against Olympiacos on October 21—key preparation steps before the showdown in Madrid.

The timing couldn’t be better for Xavi Hernández, whose squad is currently dealing with a mounting injury list that includes Raphinha, Fermín López, Gavi, Joan García, and Marc-André ter Stegen. The return of Yamal, even at partial fitness, would provide a critical injection of pace and creativity on the wing.

Yamal sustained the injury during his previous international duty with the Spanish national team. Although he was initially considered for the current international break, head coach Luis de la Fuente opted not to include him in the squad after consulting with Barcelona’s medical staff, prioritizing the player's full recovery.