Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal OUT of Champions League opener against Newcastle after club revealed he 'had trouble in the pubic area'

Barcelona's 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal will not be playing against Newcastle in their Champions League opener as he continues to suffer with an injury to his 'pubic area'. 

Fans in St James' Park hoping to watch the Spanish superstar will be left disappointed, although there's no doubt his absence is a boost for Eddie Howe's men. 

Yamal was absent for Barcelona's 6-0 win against Valencia on Saturday, with Barcelona writing on their website that he was 'having trouble in the pubic area'. 

The youngster has also been in the limelight for his exploits off the pitch, recently sharing a picture with his new girlfriend Nicki Nicole, 25. 

He accompanied the image of himself shirtless in front of the Argentine rapper with the 2Pac song 'Only God Can Judge Me'. 

The teenager played 79 minutes and 73 minutes against Bulgaria and Turkey for his country during the international break. 

And club boss Hansi Flick was annoyed at the workload Spain put on their leading talent. 

He said: 'Lamine goes to the national team with pain, didn't train and had painkillers to play.

'They were three goals up in every match and he played 79 and 73 minutes.

'Between the matches, he didn't train. This is not taking care of players. Spain have the best team in the world and in every position they are unbelievably good. So I am really sad about this.'

Yamal's stunning performances on the pitch have led to an increase in attention in his personal life. 

His new girlfriend recently broke her silence on their relationship, saying: 'I am very in love, very happy and very happy.

'I am very happy, very happy in Barcelona, with a lot of affection from the people and I want to thank everyone.

The rapper, whose real name is Nicole Denise Cucco, also shared that Yamal is teaching her Catalan.

Nicole was pictured sporting a Barcelona shirt at the Nou Camp back in August, as she watched her new flame score two goals to guide the Spanish giants to a 5-0 victory over Como. 

No doubt there will be an electric atmosphere on Tyneside for the return of Europe's most prestigious competiton. 

The last time Newcastle were in the Champions League they failed to make it out of the group stage but the squad now looks deeper and better equipped to compete on multiple fronts. 

It will be the fifth competitive meeting between the two clubs and the first since 2003. 

A Faustino Asprilla hat-trick won a thrilling game 3-2 for Newcastle against the Catalan giants back in 1997.   

With Barcelona's attacking swagger under Flick, there could well be another brilliant encounter on the cards. 

Alejandro Balde and Spain midfielder Gavi are also on the treatment table with Yamal and will not play a part. 

Howe, meanwhile, will be without Yoan Wissa and Jacob Ramsey.