When Lamine Yamal danced past two Real Madrid defenders and smoothly scored a goal, it reminded fans of Lionel Messi’s magic at Barcelona. The young player, still wearing dental braces, has quickly become a challenging opponent due to his speed and creativity on the field.
In recent matches, Yamal has been a standout performer. He played a crucial role in Barcelona’s impressive 5-2 victory over Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final and chipped in again during a 5-1 win against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey.
Beyond his goals, Yamal’s skill on the ball is creating waves. His ability to glide past defenders is reminiscent of Messi. With his left foot, he can score stunning long-range shots or delicate finishes, just as he did against Madrid.
Barcelona midfielder Gavi praised Yamal, saying, “After Lionel Messi, he is our best player.” Yamal not only scored but also assisted in the Betis match, showcasing his talent and importance to the team.
At just 16 years old, Yamal has already set records. He became La Liga’s youngest scorer and made headlines as Spain’s youngest scorer during the European Championship, where he also scored a standout goal in the semifinals to help Spain secure the championship title over England.
This season, Yamal leads La Liga with nine assists and has a total of nine goals across all competitions. His passing ability helps his teammates, like Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, find the back of the net. Together, they have accumulated a noteworthy 46 goals, with Yamal’s vision opening up play for everyone.
Teammate Pau Cubarsí, also 17, mentioned that “everyone is now enjoying Lamine’s play.” He highlighted how Yamal deserves all the praise he’s receiving for his outstanding performances.
After a rough patch in late November and December, where Barcelona lost crucial matches at home, the team bounced back with strong performances. Currently in third place, they are chasing Atletico Madrid, who leads the league, while Real Madrid sits just behind them.
Barcelona is set to face Getafe this Saturday, before heading to Portugal to take on Benfica in the Champions League. Fans are excited to see what Yamal and the team will do next.