Following a restful and relaxing weekend, a typical 15 year old child would return to school on Monday morning with nothing but dread and disappointment. Most students would have routine weekend experiences of spending time with friends or family. This is not Lamine Yamal’s reality.
Barcelona’s 4-0 demolition saw Xavi’s men return to winning ways after losing 2-1 to 9th placed Rayo Vallecano. The night was full of highlights for the Blaugrana as they extended their lead at the summit to 11 points. Similarly, Lewandowski’s 36th minute strike expanded his lead in the race for the Pichichi trophy to 2 goals ahead of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
Defensively Barcelona were as sound as ever, keeping Real Betis to an xG of just 0.21. Barca’s clean sheet was their 24th of the season. In fact, the clean sheet last night broke the Blaugrana’s record for most clean sheets in a single season. With 24 clean sheets in 32 games – keeping the other side goalless 75% of the time – Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Barca’s defense has been at an all-time high this season. With 6 more La Liga games to go, ter Stegen could break Francisco Liano’s record of 26 clean sheets in a single La Liga campaign.
Despite Lewandowski’s continued prolific goal-scoring and Barca’s record-breaking defensive consistency, the highlight of the night has to go to Lamine Yamal. At 15 years, 9 months and 16 days, Yamal became the youngest Barcelona player ever to make his debut for the Blaugrana in La Liga. Most people at 15 years old are dreading school and messing around with their friends. Lamine Yamal is playing football in front of 88,530 fans in the Camp Nou.
The 2007-born footballer was an unused substitute in Barcelona’s last 2 games; a 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid and a 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano. With a 4-0 lead and the three points comfortably secured, Xavi decided to bring Lamine Yamal on for 2022’s golden boy award winner Gavi. The 15 year old is extremely highly rated and already considered to be one of the brightest talents at Barca’s famous Academy La Masia.
In 9 minutes of playing time, Barca’s number 41 had 12 touches, made 8/8 accurate passes and even had a shot on target. Winning the ball off of Betis defender and former Barca player Montoya, Yamal took a couple of touches and shot straight at Rui Silva who saved the 15 year old’s strike. The Camp Nou would have absolutely gone berserk if Yamal found the back of the net. Yamal also played a brilliant chip through ball for Frenchman Ousmane Dembele who scuffed the chance within the 6 yard box.
An excellent cameo for Yamal deservedly received plaudits from his Barcelona peers. Barca boss Xavi claimed the Spaniard “is a special player” and “can be important” for the Blaugrana in the future. Brazilian winger Raphinha also announced that the Barca players were encouraging Yamal on the bench prior to him stepping onto the pitch.
Lamine Yamal becomes the youngest player to EVER debut with Barcelona first team. 🔵🔴 #FCB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 29, 2023
Born on July 13, 2007 ✨ pic.twitter.com/2OxJNKl5M6
Yamal has demonstrated his extraordinary talent on international duty. Having played for Spain’s U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-19 sides, the talented winger has 8 goals in 16 games for Spain’s youth sides.
Quite interestingly, last night’s clash between Barcelona and Real Betis had the oldest and youngest players in La Liga this season. Yamal’s debut saw him become the youngest La Liga player whilst Real Betis legend Joaquin continued his streak of being the oldest La Liga performer at the age of 41 years old.
Barcelona vs. Real Betis had the youngest player to play in a LaLiga match this season (Lamine Yamal, 15) and the oldest player to do so (Joaquín, 41) 🤯 pic.twitter.com/5mwoyVpEx1
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 29, 2023
According to reliable football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are already in talks with Yamal to extend his contract. The Spanish winger is represented by Jorge Mendes. Mendes is one of the most sought-after agents having represented Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and more global superstars. With an expected contract extension of three more years, Mendes will ensure that Yamal is properly financed in his Barca future.
Ultimately, at just 15 years of age, Lamine Yamal has already taken the football world by storm. For most it is absolutely incomprehensible that a Barcelona player was born in the same year that the first iPhone was released, Twitter and Facebook went global and Airbnb was founded. Who knows what the future holds for Lamine Yamal. But for now, he should enjoy his childhood before the brutal scrutiny and expectation of football rest on his shoulders.
