The USA is set to miss a rare opportunity. Two European giants Manchester City and FC Barcelona are ready to test themselves against each other before they kick off the 2024-25 campaign and more importantly, to engage with their fans across the pond. But they will not witness one of the most talented youngsters playing the sport live. Lamine Yamal is not in the squad to play the match tonight, which can leave the supporters distraught. With the clash between the Catalan giants and Pep Guardiola’s side already electrifying, Yamal’s inclusion would add a new dimension to the tactical drama. Yet, the Spanish prodigy has his rationales for the absence.

While few of Barcelona’s star players are ready for the preseason friendlies, most have not made it due to injuries. However, Yamal will miss the match because he is currently on holiday after a tough and well-fought spell since last season. The 17-year-old had more than a fantastic Euro 2024 which gives him a well-deserved break before the next season starts. He set multiple records mostly related to age, becoming the youngest player to, feature, score, assist and win the Euro. Earlier he also made a decent impact for FC Barcelona scoring 7 goals and providing 9 assists. But, he appears to believe in work hard, party harder philosophy now.

After the Euro Yamal already promised to have a big vacation if he secured a win. Hence, after La Roja’s triumph, he was seen in quite a few places. Earlier, Yamal was anticipated to be chilling with his rumored girlfriend Alex Padilla in Kos Islands in Greece. Taking to his Instagram, the winger posted a few pics alone but Padilla was also seen posting from the same place. But, he was recently chilling with his friend and national teammate Nico Williams in Marbella, leaving Barcelona very few options against a stiff City.

Barca set to face City despite eight of its players are set to miss the USA tour apart from Lamine Yamal

The Blaugrana doesn’t look like going hard on the USA tour. With the kind of squad they selected, they may want their primary players in the best shape with adequate rest, hence many other players are missing from the team in the States. While Ronald Araújo, Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ansu Fati have injury concerns, Pau Cubarsí, Fermín López, and Eric García are with the Uner-23 squad in Paris for the Olympics.

Nonetheless, Manchester City will also miss Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and other key figures which will make the contest even. However, Erling Haaland’s presence can make a difference for the Sky Blues in this tactically entertaining affair. But who is expected to ace the war? Let us know in the comments.