Lamine Yamal’s Barcelona debut was two years ago, a moment that marked the beginning of a meteoric rise. Xavi Hernandez was at the helm when the youngster made his first-team appearance against Betis, coming on as a substitute for Gavi. Xavi revealed that he used to calm down young La Masia players before they made their debut, but Lamine was different – he was incredibly calm, almost as if it was just another game. At 15 years and 290 days old, Lamine showed a maturity beyond his years.
A Star Emerges
Since then, Lamine has become a global star, winning the Golden Boy award and playing a key role in Spain’s fourth European title. He’s now among the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or. The Barcelona team had high hopes for Lamine even before he made his debut. When Xavi was appointed in November 2021, he was already aware of the young player’s potential. Lamine was just 14 at the time, and the club had taken extra care to support him due to his challenging family background. In fact, the club had made an exception to accept him into La Masia, despite not being from the province of Barcelona.
Lamine’s rise wasn’t without its challenges. Xavi, Mateu Alemany, and Jordi Cruyff had to intervene to prevent him from leaving the club before signing his first professional contract. Óscar Hernández, Xavi’s brother, predicted that Lamine would win the Ballon d’Or in three years. While it seemed like a bold claim at the time, Lamine’s rapid progress has made it a more plausible prediction. Xavi managed Lamine’s minutes carefully during the last season, gradually increasing his role. This allowed Lamine to peak at the right time for the European Championship, where he confirmed his status as a global star.
Breaking Records
Lamine’s achievements are impressive. He’s the youngest champion in Barcelona’s history, the youngest scorer in La Liga, and the youngest European Championship winner. His trophy cabinet already includes a La Liga title, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup. He’ll be looking to add the Champions League to his collection, which would make him a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or. Lamine has already played 99 games for Barça, scoring 21 goals and providing 33 assists. He’ll be making his 100th appearance against Inter this Wednesday.