Lamine Yamal, the latest prodigy from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, has swiftly transformed from a promising youth talent into a La Liga sensation within a mere six months. Like many before him, he was initially compared to the legendary Lionel Messi in his early days.
However, since his introduction to the Barcelona first team, Yamal has carved out his unique identity on the pitch. In this short period, he has notched two goals and one assist in just 11 appearances for the club this season, and he even found the back of the net for the senior Spanish national team in September 2023.
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This remarkable journey has earned him praise from his manager and raised expectations from fans and the wider public. While his ultimate potential remains uncertain, the records he has broken already speak volumes. Here, we delve into Yamal’s most significant accomplishments in both the colors of Barcelona and Spain.
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Youngest Player to Make a Barcelona Appearance
In the spring of 2023, whispers circulated that a 15-year-old Yamal might make an appearance for Barcelona’s first team. Injuries on the wing, with Ousmane Dembele struggling for fitness and Raphinha in need of backup, prompted manager Xavi to include the teenager in several matchday squads. On April 29 of that year, Yamal seized his opportunity, stepping onto the field against Real Betis in the 83rd minute. At the tender age of 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days, he shattered the record held by another La Masia prodigy, Ansu Fati, who made his debut at 16 years, 9 months, and 25 days.
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Youngest Player to Start in La Liga
Yamal wasted no time in making an impact after his debut, particularly when it came to providing an attacking outlet for the team. Following a pivotal cameo appearance against Tottenham in the Joan Gamper trophy, he secured a spot in Xavi’s plans for the 2023-24 campaign. With Raphinha suspended and Ousmane Dembele’s departure for PSG, Yamal earned a starting position in the lineup against Cadiz on August 20. Playing as a right-wing-back, the teenager, at 16 years and 38 days old, played a crucial role as Barcelona secured three points against a resolute Cadiz side. In doing so, he not only became the youngest player to start for Barcelona but also surpassed the previous La Liga record held by Fabrice Olinga by three months.
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Youngest Player to Assist a Goal in La Liga
Following his impressive start, Yamal consistently contributed to the team, even as his more experienced teammates regained their fitness. His first significant performance for Barcelona came against Villarreal, where he provided an assist in a chaotic 4-3 win. This assist, a perfectly angled ball to the far post, established him as the youngest player to set up a goal in La Liga in the 21st century, at just 16 years and 45 days old. This achievement surpassed a record previously held by Juanmi Jimenez, who assisted for Malaga in 2010 at the age of 16.
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Youngest Player to Start in the Champions League
While Xavi initially expressed the intent to give Yamal intermittent rest, his continued impressive form and the team’s injury woes necessitated more opportunities. Thus, the manager fielded Yamal in the starting lineup for Barcelona’s second 2023-24 Champions League fixture against Porto. Although Yamal didn’t score or assist, he emerged as one of the team’s most potent attacking threats in a hard-fought 1-0 victory. At 16 years and 83 days old, he became the youngest player to start a Champions League match, breaking a nearly 30-year-old record held by Celestine Babayaro, who was three days older when he started for Anderlecht in 1994.
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Youngest Player to Score for Barcelona
After coming close to scoring on numerous occasions, Yamal finally found the back of the net for Barcelona on October 8, 2023. His first goal wasn’t a thing of beauty. It came during a challenging match against Granada, where the ball fortuitously fell to Yamal at the back post, and he slotted it into an open net. This goal sparked a comeback that saw Barcelona recover from a 2-0 deficit to secure a 2-2 draw. At 16 years and 87 days old, Yamal surpassed a record previously held by Ansu Fati, who scored at 16 years and 10 months during his breakout 2019-20 season.
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Youngest La Liga Goalscorer
Yamal’s first goal held significance not just in the context of Barcelona but extended beyond Catalonia’s borders. His tap-in made him the youngest-ever goalscorer in La Liga history, surpassing a record set by Fabrice Olinga when he scored for Malaga in 2012 at the age of 16 years and 98 days.
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Youngest Player to Start for Spain
Yamal’s remarkable talent didn’t go unnoticed by the Spanish national team. A call-up to the senior squad was inevitable for the young prodigy, who had been a regular for Spain’s youth teams. Despite public interest from Morocco in securing his services for their national team, the allure of representing La Roja prevailed. In September 2023, Spain’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, included Yamal in the squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Although he didn’t start his first available fixture, Yamal made his debut by coming off the bench shortly before half-time, replacing the injured Marco Asensio. At 16 years and 57 days old, he exceeded the record held by Gavi, who was nearly a full year older when Luis Enrique handed him a Spain cap in 2021.
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Youngest Goalscorer in Spain’s History
Yamal had his moment to shine for Spain against Georgia. His first senior international goal was a thing of beauty, reminiscent of many a goal by a former Barca right-winger. He met a cutback at the right corner of the box and whipped it into the far corner with his left foot. Once again, he outdid a fellow Blaugrana teammate in the record books, as Gavi had scored for Spain almost two years older than Yamal when he found the net.
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Youngest Scorer in a European Championship Qualifier
Yamal’s goal against Georgia not only solidified his place in Spanish football history but also set him ahead of some prominent names in the sport. He became the youngest player to score in European Championship qualifying, surpassing Gareth Bale, who scored for Wales from a free-kick in 2006. Also on the list was Wayne Rooney, who, at nearly 18, became Euro qualifying’s fifth youngest goalscorer by netting for England against North Macedonia.
Lamine Yamal’s astounding rise is a testament to his incredible talent and determination, and he has a promising future ahead of him in the world of football. His name will undoubtedly continue to grace the headlines as he achieves even greater milestones in his career.
