Revealed: Why Barcelona Fast-Rising Star Left The Pitch And Didn’t Return Against Porto

Lamine Yamal’s replacement in the second half of Wednesday’s Champions League encounter against Porto was explained by Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez.

Lamine Yamal began the match against Porto, making history along the way by becoming the youngest player ever to start in the Champions League. Officially, he played 80 minutes, but he left the pitch in the 71st minute and did not return. Yamal needed to use the toilet during the second half and took advantage of a lull in play to leave go off. Xavi, who subsequently verified that the 16-year-old was unwell, eventually replaced him with Marcos Alonso.

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“Lamine Yamal was unwell. He had an illness, he had been telling me for a while. I took advantage of a break to tell him to be quick and go to the toilet, but in the end, they told me that he wouldn’t be able to get back on the pitch,” he told reporters after the match.

Robert Lewandowski and Ronald Araujo also sustained knocks during the game. According to Xavi, Lewandowski received a “very strong blow” when he was taken off in the first half and replaced by eventual match-winner Ferran Torres. Araujo appeared to be in pain at the finish, but Xavi said the defender was only suffering from cramp.

On Sunday, October 8, Barcelona will resume play when they play in a La Liga match at Granada.