Barcelona soccer star Lamine Yamal out 3 to 4 weeks with ankle injury

Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal will miss the next three to four weeks, including a crucial match against Atletico Madrid, because of ligament damage inside his right ankle, the Spanish La Liga club announced Monday.

Yamal sustained the grade 1 injury to his anterior tibiofibular ligament in the first half of a 1-0 loss to Leganes on Sunday in Barcelona. He remained in the game until being replaced in the 75th minute.

The 17-year-old registered six goals and 12 assists through 20 appearances this season.

Barcelona (12-4-2) is tied with Atletico (11-1-5) for the most points (38) in La Liga. Barcelona also leads the league with 50 goals through 18 matches.

Atletico and Barcelona will meet at 3 p.m. EST Saturday at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. Barcelona will battle Barbastro in a Copa del Rey match Jan. 4 in Barbastro, Spain.