Clochette explains: hamstring injuries and criticism
Exactly how relevant was Lamine Yamal's fast food meal before the Celta Vigo game
Hi and welcome back to your weekly injury report by The Clochette Journal!
This week’s focus are the hamstring muscles - the injury to different extents of which lead to Lamine Yamal closing his season with FC Barcelona prematurely (but not in danger for the World Cup) and Estevão risking his appearance on the world’s greatest football stage.
What are the hamstring muscles?
Your hamstrings are located in the back of your thigh, starting at your pelvis and extending to your knee. Hamstring tendons attach them to bones in your pelvis, knee and lower leg. The three hamstring muscles are:
Biceps femoris. This muscle is on the outside of the back of your thigh. Its function is to flex your knee, extend your thigh at your hip and rotate your lower leg from side-to-side when your knee is bent.
Semimembranosus. This muscle is on the innermost side of the back of your thigh. It flexes your knee joint, extends your thigh at your hip, and rotates your hip and lower leg.
Semitendinosus. This muscle is between your semimembranosus and biceps femoris. Its function is the same as your semimembranosus. 1
In short, the functions of the hamstrings are: bending your knees, and extending and rotating your hips.
How are the strains graded?
HSIs are commonly graded as follows:
Grade I - microscopic tearing with minor swelling and discomfort and little to no loss of strength;
Grade II - gross partial tear with clear weakness;
Grade III - complete rupture with total loss of function.2,6-8 Grade III HSIs are often traumatic injuries, such as might occur during water-skiing when there is forceful hip flexion while the knee is in full extension.2
Treatment3
The primary goals of a rehabilitation protocol for hamstring injuries is to return the athlete to sport at the prior level of performance, and to minimize risk of reinjury.(26)
Three phases of rehabilitation for acute hamstring strains has been described and should be followed in a progressive nature.(26, 55)
Phase I focuses on decreasing pain and edema, prevention of scar formation, development of neuromuscular control at slow speed and prevention of excessive lengthening.(26, 55) Initial management of hamstring strains in the acute phase includes the RICE protocol of rest, ice, compression and elevation.(1, 10, 14, 34)
Phase II of rehabilitation involves increase in the intensity and range of motion of the exercises, initiation of eccentric resistance exercises, and neuromuscular training at faster speeds.(26, 55) However, hamstring lengthening to end range should be avoided if there is still weakness during this phase.(26, 55) Ice can be used as needed for pain associated with exercise and rehabilitation. The intensity and speed of neuromuscular control, agility and trunk stabilization exercises are progressively increased.(26) Eccentric strengthening exercises for the hamstrings are also initiated during this phase.
Phase III of rehabilitation involves more advanced neuromuscular control and eccentric strengthening exercises as well as sport-specific exercises with the goal of returning the athlete to play. The athlete generally has no restriction of range of motion during this phase. Progressive ability and trunk stabilization exercises should incorporate more sport-specific drills and dynamic agility exercises.(26, 55) Eccentric hamstring strengthening exercises can be progressed toward end range of motion.(26, 55)
Recovery and return to pitch
Many sources that abide by the three-grade injury classification state that a grade 1 injury usually takes 2 to 5 days to heal; grade 2 usually takes 4 to 8 weeks, and grade 3 can take months to heal completely.
Where do Lamine Yamal and Estevão stand?
Tests this Thursday have confirmed that first-team player Lamine Yamal has suffered a hamstring injury in his left leg.
The player will follow a conservative treatment plan. He will miss the remainder of the league season but is expected to be available for the World Cup.4
This is the only report we have from the official club website. It can be suspected that he has a grade 2 injury.
Estevao suffered a grade four hamstring injury against Manchester United, which has potentially put his participation at the World Cup in doubt.
Calum McFarlane has confirmed Estevao won’t play for Chelsea again this season, and he ends his debut campaign with eight goals and four assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.5
With the World Cup less than two months away, it is possible that Estevão returns on time, but that all depends on how his recovery process goes.
Hamstring injury and fast food: fact or fiction?
I had a very “are you being for real right now?” moment when reading that statement, but oh well.
Goal.com reports the harsh criticism launched by Juan Furlanich of DSports, who is reported to have told Futbol Total after Yamal got injured:
“It’s unbelievable that Lamine Yamal injured himself today taking a penalty kick. And let’s put aside the irony or humor, it’s completely real: he injured himself taking a penalty kick.
“A footballer who less than 48 hours ago was jokingly eating fast food while arriving in the early hours of the morning on a private plane, 48 hours before a match. I believe that all of this is not a coincidence, that it is not something that ends up being fortuitous and that ends up being the product of misfortune or bad luck.
“It has to do with the consequences of probably not being well, not resting well, not taking care of yourself, and taking risks, and ending up with what happened. It’s not a stolen photo; he himself boasted about these things.”
God forbid an 18-year old celebrates after winning Laureus World Young Sportsperson of the Year Award. Furlanich could have criticised Yamal for choosing McDonald’s given the latter’s links to the IOF in their campaigns in Palestine, but no one wants to go that far.
They see Yamal get injured while taking a penalty, they see his “lifestyle” - not justifying anything, just saying it’s not something unusual in football - and this incredible player becomes someone they can take shots at.
The truth is: no, a cheat day has nothing to do with a hamstring injury. An injury in sports almost never happens because of an isolated instance - save for nasty fouls or unfortunate moments. Therefore, while a poor diet does influence muscle mass, energy and performance, breaking the diet in isolated instances doesn’t impact the body to that extent.
The reason why Yamal got injured is most likely to have come because of having played to the highest intensity for the entire season, especially starting from the return match against Atleti in Copa del Rey, up until the last one against Celta.
Comments such as those of Furlanich can be frustrating, especially when you know what actually impacts muscles and what doesn’t, but, well, we cannot educate everyone.
Wishing speedy recoveries to both Estevão and Lamine Yamal and hopefully they fully regain their form for the World Cup.
Until next time,
x,
The Clochette Journal
P.S. This post was written for educational purposes only. At no point is it aimed to hurt and/ or discourage anyone going through the same recovery process. A full professional consult is advised at all times.
Cleveland Clinic Editors (2025, May 03). Hamstring Muscle: What It Is, Anatomy and Function. Cleveland Clinic website
Larson, J. H., Fenn, T. W., Allahabadi, S., & Nho, S. J. (2024). Hamstring Strains: Classification and Management. Sports health, 16(4), 661–663. https://doi.org/10.1177/19417381231175880 [PMC link]
Love the in depth analysis about common athlete injuries, something casual or aspiring players dont know about but should. Especially with busy schedules for top teams nowadays, this has to be brought to light.
This was a great breakdown concerning player injuries. I agree that the load on players is just insane nowadays. Especially for players who ply their trade with one of the top clubs. Most likely, they have their regular games in the league, then they have cup matches, and then most likely they have European football. Not to mention the Club World Cup and playing for their international teams. It is just a ton of football, and the powers that be are not looking out for the players' health.