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Why Is Lamine Yamal Not Playing Tonight for Barcelona vs Athletic Club?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Jan 7, 2026 12:48 PM ET

FC Barcelona will play another Spanish Super Cup semifinal as they take on Athletic Bilbao in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

FC Barcelona is the current holder of the Spanish Super Cup after winning it last year against Real Madrid. Barcelona are the favorites against Athletic Bilbao due to their recent form across all competitions.

Barcelona will play their best players against Athletic Bilbao, apart from one, Lamine Yamal.

The 18-year-old star played over the weekend in Barcelona's 2-0 win over Espanyol in La Liga and is included in the squad roster for the match against Bilbao today, but he is not part of the starting lineup.

Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona passes the ball whilst under pressure from Carlos Romero of RCD Espanyol during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and FC Barcelona at RCDE Stadium on January 03, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Yamal played the full match against Espanyol, but there was concern about his fitness as he missed a team training session ahead of the match today against Athletic Bilbao.

Yamal is not injured, as reports suggest that he is receiving specific individual training.

Why is Lamine Yamal not starting vs Athletic Bilbao?

Carlos Monfort of Sport and Javi Miguel of Diario AS report that Hansi Flick decided to bench Lamine Yamal today to avoid any risk of a serious injury.

The report also states that Yamal was ready to play from the start, but Flick's decision to benchhim was due to the player missing a team training session.

The front three for FC Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao will be Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Roony Bardghji. Lamine Yamal is on the bench but could play in the second half.

Hansi Flick says that Yamal is not injured by saying, "We've talked to Lamine after lunch, and he's doing well."