Yamal suffers a setback ahead of the showdown with Messi at the Finalissima

Lamine Yamal and the Spanish national team have just been dealt a blow with a key player in great form suffering a severe injury, resulting in his absence from the 2026 Finalissima.

Nearly three months before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will face each other for the first time when Argentina meets Spain in the 2026 Finalissima.

Both teams are rushing preparations for this crucial encounter. Beyond competing for an international title, this is also seen as an important warm-up ahead of the World Cup. However, Spain has just received bad news as striker Samu Omorodion suffered a serious injury and will miss both tournaments.

In an official statement, Porto, Omorodion’s club, announced: “Samu, who was substituted at halftime in the match against Sporting, sustained a sprain in his right knee along with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The FC Porto medical team will reassess him in the coming days.”

Although the club did not specify the recovery time, such injuries typically require six to eight months of treatment and rehabilitation. This means Samu is almost certain to return only after the 2026 World Cup, leaving a significant gap in Spain’s attack alongside Lamine Yamal.

This is a major blow for the 2004-born striker, especially as he is having an impressive season with Porto. In 32 appearances across all competitions, Samu has scored 20 goals, including 13 in the league, three in the Europa League, and four in the Portuguese Cup.

His outstanding performance in Portugal earned him a call-up from coach Luis de la Fuente to the national team, giving him the chance to debut with the senior squad. Samu came on as a substitute in the 3-2 victory over Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League, a debut that raised hopes for many more appearances before summer.

Although not the first-choice forward for La Roja, Samu has been regularly included in recent call-ups and is considered almost guaranteed to participate in the 2026 World Cup. However, this severe knee injury forces him to withdraw, adding another challenge for Spain amid concerns over other key players’ availability.

Besides Samu’s confirmed absence from both the Finalissima and World Cup, Mikel Merino’s status remains uncertain following surgery for a broken foot. Additionally, Dani Carvajal and Nico Williams have yet to reach peak fitness. Due to prolonged injuries and inconsistent form this season, both are at risk of watching the two major tournaments from home.