Lamine Yamal, the child prodigy of world football
The ‘Lamine effect’ is already a reality on the international scene. At just 17 years of age, the Spanish player of Futbol Club Barcelona is the sensation of the moment. After his display against Real Madrid, Lamine Yamal completed, in the 5-1 thrashing of Betis, the best game since he made his debut for Barcelona on 29 April 2023, curiously, against the same opponents, Real Betis.
At the time, the promising youngster from La Masia was just 15 years and 290 days old, making him the youngest player in Barcelona's history to make his first-team debut in an official match. With a breakthrough never seen before, Lamine ended that season as the second player with the most appearances with a total of 44 games played.
Today, a year and a half later, Lamine dazzled the world with a performance for the history books: a goal, two assists, five dribbles and seven recoveries.
Lamine Yamal is exciting, and very much so. Not since the arrival of Lionel Messi has a talent of such magnitude been seen in Barcelona. With a touch of the Argentinian star, Lamine is proving that there is no such thing as coincidence, as it was Messi himself who christened him when he was just a few months old at a club publicity event. Without knowing it, the best player in the club's history was giving the baton to a still baby Lamine Yamal.
🤤 La asistencia de Lamine Yamal es exquisita.
💥 El golpeo de Koundé es brutal.#LaCopaMola pic.twitter.com/bP5InmWNq3— Fútbol en Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) January 15, 2025
If we talk about numbers, Lamine is the best, but if we talk about sensations, Lamine Yamal is also the best. Key in the system of the team coached by Hansi Flick, the young Barcelona winger is the player who creates the most goal scoring chances in Europe; the player who dribbles the most - tied with his friend Nico Williams, player of Athletic Club Bilbao -; the player who has distributed the most assists in the league championship; the best young player of the European Championship he won with Spain; and the best young player in the world, being at 17 years and 109 days the youngest player to win the award.
Lamine Yamal's 33 records
Lamine and precocity go hand in hand. At just 17 years of age, Yamal can already be considered a unique footballer. His appearance in the Barça first team has broken all the moulds. At his young age, Lamine is ahead of only the two greatest players of modern times, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, in terms of world records. Of the 33 that the young Barcelona player holds, 20 are at club level and 10 at international level, and three at individual level.
With the club, the records are: youngest player to make his debut for Barça, at 15 years and 290 days; to score for Barça against Granada, at 16 years and 87 days; to score a brace in La Liga, at 16 years and 213 days; to score in the Copa del Rey, at 16 years and 195 days; to score in a Spanish Super Cup, at 16 years and 15 days; to assist for Barça, at 16 years and 45 days; to assist in the Champions League, at 16 years and 153 days; to assist in a Champions League play-off; to assist in a Champions League play-off; in playing a Champions League play-off; in playing the Spanish Super Cup; in playing a Clasico at 16 years and 280 days; youngest player to start in La Liga; youngest player to start in the Champions League; youngest player to play 10 games in the Champions League at 16 years and 10 months; youngest player to play a Clasico; youngest player to score in a Clasico; youngest player to score 10 goals or assists in La Liga; and youngest player to reach 50 official games with Barça.
With the Spanish national team, the records are: youngest player to score for Spain at 16 years and 57 days; to play in a European Championship; to be a starter in a European Championship; to play in the final of a major tournament; to score for Spain against France, at 16 years and 362 days; to assist in a European Championship, at 16 years and 339 days; to assist in an international final, with the final of the European Championship against England; to be MVP of a European Championship match; to win an international tournament; and to win a European Championship.
And, as an individual, Lamine Yamal is the youngest player to finish in the top 10 of the Golden Ball rankings; to win the best young player award at the European Championship; and to win the Kopa award.
