Football’s modern era is producing young stars faster than ever, but also breaking them sooner than before. In recent months, a worrying trend has emerged: pubalgia, a groin-related injury, is affecting some of the brightest young names in the game, including Nico Williams, Franco Mastantuono, and Lamine Yamal.
While it doesn’t grab headlines like ligament tears or fractures, pubalgia has become a silent threat, especially for technically gifted wingers and midfielders who rely heavily on explosive acceleration, sharp turns, and rapid dribbling.
Specialist Dr. Roberto Seijas explains:
“In very young players still developing their muscles and flexibility, it’s common. They’re building their bodies while competing at an elite level, so cases like Lamine or Nico Williams are expected.”
Pubalgia stems from an imbalance between abdominal strength and leg power. The adductor, the muscle responsible for activities such as dribbling, running, and jumping, plays a central role. When it overpowers the abdominal core, the pubic area bears excess stress, leading to inflammation and chronic discomfort. “It won’t end a player’s career, but it must be treated,” adds Seijas. “Not something to ‘live with’, it needs proper recovery, stretching, abdominal work, and elasticity to balance the adductor’s power.”
The physical demand on young footballers has never been higher. Teenagers today are exposed to high-intensity matches, back-to-back fixtures, and elite-level training loads, all while their bodies are still in the crucial phase of growth and development. For players like Yamal and Mastantuono, who carry immense creative responsibility at such young ages, that imbalance becomes even more pronounced.
The treatment :
Recovery from pubalgia is complex. Rest alone isn’t enough; it requires a careful mix of physiotherapy, targeted core strengthening, and flexibility work. Rushing back too soon can lead to recurring pain and long-term discomfort. Many experts now emphasize load management, improved warm-up routines, and core-adductor balance programs to prevent the condition.
The message from professionals is clear:
Pubalgia isn’t career-ending, but ignoring it can shorten careers. Modern football’s obsession with speed, explosiveness, and early success is putting the next generation at risk. Players, clubs, and coaches must understand that building strength means building balance and without it, even the most talented players can fall victim to this silent strain.
