Lamine Yamal

Spanish footballer (born 2007)

Lamine Yamal
Personal information
Full name Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana
Date of birth (2007-07-13) 13 July 2007 (age 16)
Place of birth Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Barcelona
Number 27
Youth career
2013–2023 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023 Barcelona B 1 (0)
2023– Barcelona 30 (4)
International career‡
2021–2022 Spain U15 6 (2)
2021–2023 Spain U16 4 (1)
2022– Spain U17 10 (8)
2022– Spain U19 1 (0)
2023– Spain 6 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02:08, 31 March 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:09, 26 March 2024 (UTC)

Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana, more commonly known as Lamine Yamal is a Spanish professional footballer born July 13, 2007 who plays as a right winger for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team.[2][3][4][5][6]

Early life

Born in Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean Fang mother,[6][7] Lamine Yamal grew up further up the coast in Granollers and Mataró, specifically the Rocafonda neighbourhood.[8] At the age of seven years he moved to Barcelona.[5][3][4]

Club career

FC Barcelona

Youth career

Growing up through the youth ranks of La Masia, Lamine Yamal was soon viewed as one of the academy's best prospects.[5][9][10][11] Whilst added to the Juvenil A team—already above his age grade—for the 2022–23 season,[10] Lamine was selected by Xavi to train with the first team along with other youngsters in early September 2022.[6][3] While still yet to sign his first professional contract with the club, he appeared to be one of the academy members to most impress the coach.[9][12]

2023–24: First-team breakthrough

Lamine Yamal made his first-team debut on 29 April 2023, replacing Gavi in the 83rd minute in a 4–0 win against Real Betis in La Liga in which he registered a shot on target against former Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and became not only the fifth youngest player in La Liga's history at 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days old,[13] but also the youngest to appear for Barcelona's first team since the 15-year-old Armando Sagi in 1922, over a century before.[14] He won his first title with Barça on 14 May 2023, having been part of the squad that won the 2022–23 La Liga.[15] Despite this, he would miss the title celebration the following week due to international duty with Spain.[16]

Lamine earned his first start for the club on 20 August 2023 in a 2–0 victory over Cádiz at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, becoming the youngest starter for Barcelona in La Liga at the age of 16 years and 38 days.[17][18] His first start was met with a standing ovation from the opposition fans as he was subbed off with five minutes left in the game.[19] In his next starting appearance, Lamine was named man of the match after contributing towards two goals scored by Gavi and Robert Lewandowski in a 4–3 victory over Villarreal on 28 August 2023.[20][21] At 16 years and 45 days, he became the youngest player to supply an assist in a La Liga fixture.[22] He was named the inaugural U23 Player of the Month for August as a result of his performances.[23] On 19 September, Lamine made his Champions League debut in a 5–0 win over Antwerp, becoming the second youngest player to feature in the competition, aged 16 years and 68 days, only behind Youssoufa Moukoko.[24]

On 2 October 2023, Lamine extended his contract with Barcelona until 2026, with a buyout clause of €1 billion.[25] Two days later, he started in his first match of the Champions League against Porto, becoming the youngest player named in a starting line-up at 16 years and 83 days old. He was then subbed off with 19 minutes left in the match due to stomach problems. Lamine was three days younger than Celestine Babayaro, who set the record in 1994.[26] On 8 October 2023, Lamine scored his first goal for the first team in a 2–2 away draw to Granada. He became the youngest goalscorer for Barcelona and the youngest in history to score in La Liga, aged 16 years and 87 days, breaking both records set by Ansu Fati and Fabrice Olinga respectively.[27][28] On 28 October 2023, Lamine made his first El Clásico appearance as a substitute in a 2–1 loss at home, becoming the youngest player to feature for Barcelona since Ansu Fati and breaking Vicenç Martínez's La Liga record in 1941,[29] as well as René Petit's overall record set in 1916.[30]

On 4 December 2023, Lamine was given the inaugural Golden Boy The Youngest trophy, which is awarded to the youngest player nominated for the Golden Boy award.[31][32] Subsequently, on the ceremony day, Lamine was not present due to school.[33] On 11 January 2024, Lamine scored in a 2–0 win over Osasuna in the Supercopa de Espana semifinal, becoming, at 16 years and 182 days, the youngest player to score in the Supercopa.[34] Lamine then played the last 29 minutes of the Supercopa de Espana final against Real Madrid on 14 January. Two weeks later, on 25 January, he scored in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals against Athletic Bilbao in an eventual 4–2 loss after extra time, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the competition's history, beating the previous record set by Juanmi in 2010.[35]

On 11 February, Lamine netted twice in a 3–3 draw against Granada, earning the man of the match accolade.[36][37] Hence, he became the youngest player in La Liga to score a brace, breaking the previous record of Bojan Krkić in 2008, and the first player ever to achieve this record under the age of 17.[38] He also became the youngest player to reach more than 10 goal and assist contributions in La Liga at 16 years and 213 days.[39] On 21 February, he became the youngest player to play in the Champions League knockout phase, aged 16 years and 223 days, when Barcelona played against Napoli in the round of 16, breaking previous record of Warren Zaïre-Emery.[40]

International career

Lamine Yamal is a youth international for Spain,[41] having played for the Spanish U15 and U16 squads.[3][42]

In 2023, he represented Spain's U17 side in the 2023 European U17 Championship with Lamine scoring 4 goals during the tournament.[43] Spain went all the way to the semi-finals where they were knocked out by France following a 3–1 defeat.[44]

At the age of 16 years and 50 days, Lamine received his first senior international call-up on 1 September 2023 by coach Luis de la Fuente for the 2024 Euros qualifiers against Georgia and Cyprus.[45][46] Lamine made his senior debut for Spain against Georgia on 8 September 2023, scoring in the 74th minute of a 7–1 victory. At the age of 16 years and 57 days old, he became the youngest player and goalscorer for Spain, breaking both of Gavi's records who debuted at 17 years and 62 days old and scored at 17 years and 304 days old.[47] In addition to this, Lamine became the youngest goalscorer in a Euro qualifying match, overtaking Gareth Bale's record who scored at the age of 17 years and 83 days old.[48][49]

Lamine was recalled to the Spanish squad in October 2023 for the remaining Euro qualifying matches against Scotland and Norway.[50][51] Spain would win both matches to qualify for Euro 2024.[52]

Lamine is also eligible to play for Morocco through his father and Equatorial Guinea through his mother.

Style of play

A left-footed forward with excellent dribbling, passing and chance-creating abilities, Lamine Yamal is able to play either as a centre-forward, an attacking midfielder or a winger, notably on the right flank.[6][3][9][41]

With his technical profile, he was compared to Lionel Messi, like many La Masia products before him,[6][5][53][54] but also more recently to loaned out Barcelona player Ansu Fati.[9][10][55]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 30 March 2024[56]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Copa del Rey Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona Atlètic 2022–23 Primera Federación 1 0 – – 2[a] 0 3 0
Barcelona 2022–23 La Liga 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2023–24 29 4 1 1 8[b] 0 2[c] 1 40 6
Total 30 4 1 1 8 0 2 1 41 6
Career total 31 4 1 1 8 0 4 1 44 6
  1. ^ Appearances in Primera Federación play-offs
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ Appearances in Supercopa de España

International

As of match played 26 March 2024[57]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Spain 2023 4 2
2024 2 0
Total 6 2
As of match played 16 November 2023.
Spain score listed first, score column indicates score after each Lamine Yamal goal.[57]
List of international goals scored by Lamine Yamal
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 8 September 2023 Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi, Georgia 1  Georgia 7–1 7–1 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
2 16 November 2023 Alphamega Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus 3  Cyprus 1–0 3–1 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying

Honours

Barcelona

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Lamine Yamal". www.fcbarcelona.com. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  2. ^ Ballús, Pol. "Lamine Yamal: Barcelona's teenage superstar 'who can define an era'". The Athletic. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e "FC Barcelona: Wird Lamine Yamal (15) der nächste Lionel Messi?". Sport Bild (in German). 5 September 2022. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  4. ^ a b "La saison 19/20 du prodige de la Masia, Lamine Yamal". Lions de l'Atlas (in French). 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d Picó, Diego; Gillingham, Geoff (28 December 2019). "Lamine Yamal shows shades of Messi". Marca. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e Corbella, Enrique (5 September 2022). "Lamine Yamal, el niño de 15 años que ya entrena con el Barcelona: descubre al "mini Messi" de La Masía". Marca (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 6 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Tiene 15 años, lo comparan con Messi y ya se entrena con Xavi en el Barcelona". 23 September 2022. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  8. ^ "The story of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, destined to be Barcelona's next superstar". ESPN.com. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d Fernández, Jonathan (4 September 2022). "La Masía alumbra a su 'nuevo Ansu'". Diario AS (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Martínez, Ferran (31 August 2022). "Julián Araujo, un 'tapado' para el lateral derecho". Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  11. ^ "El noi de 15 anys que ja entrena amb el Barça de Xavi". Esport3 (in Catalan). CCMA. 4 September 2022. Archived from the original on 6 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  12. ^ "Promessa de 15 anos encanta Xavi e treina com elenco do Barcelona". Globo Esporte (in Brazilian Portuguese). 5 September 2022. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  13. ^ "Youngest players in the history of La Liga". www.90min.com. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  14. ^ Sanderson, Tom. "15-Year-Old FC Barcelona Prodigy Lamine Yamal Smashes Youngest Appearance Maker Record". Forbes. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  15. ^ Montenegro, Carlos (15 May 2023). "Lamine Yamal enters the history of LaLiga after the Barça title". FCBN.
  16. ^ "The players who helped Barcelona win LaLiga: Lamine Yamal not included". Diario AS. 15 May 2023.
  17. ^ "Lamine Yamal, youngest FC Barcelona starter ever". FC Barcelona. 21 August 2023.
  18. ^ Schlachter, Thomas (21 August 2023). "Lamine Yamal becomes youngest La Liga starter in 21st century in Barcelona's 2-0 win against Cádiz". CNN.
  19. ^ Ballús, Pol (22 August 2023). "Yamal shines again for Barcelona as Xavi turns to 'fearless' 16-year-old in attack". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Villarreal 3–4 FC Barcelona: Rollercoaster ride to victory". FC Barcelona. 28 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Watch: 16-year-old Lamine Yamal's highlights after incredible Barcelona performance". Football España. 27 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Lamine Yamal, a diamond in the making". FC Barcelona. 28 August 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Lamine Yamal, Best LaLiga EA Sports U23 Player in August". La Liga. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Youngest Champions League players: Moukoko, Yamal, Babayaro, Cherki, Halilović, Tielemans". UEFA. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Lamine Yamal extends contract to 2026". FC Barcelona. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  26. ^ "Lamine Yamal, youngest starter ever in the Champions League". FC Barcelona. 4 October 2023.
  27. ^ "Lamine Yamal, youngest Liga goalscorer of all time". FC Barcelona. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  28. ^ Ballús, Pol (8 October 2023). "Yamal becomes youngest scorer in La Liga history". The Athletic. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Lamine Yamal, youngest player to feature in a Clásico". FC Barcelona. 28 October 2023.
  30. ^ "Albéniz, la precocidad y el clásico" [Albéniz, precocity and the classic]. www.sport.es (in Spanish). 23 October 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Lamine Yamal and Aitana Bonmatí receive Golden Boy 2023 awards". FC Barcelona. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  32. ^ "'I will like to win it': Yamal makes promise after receiving prestigious award". Tribuna. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  33. ^ Tournoux, Manu (5 December 2023). "Lamine Yamal didn't go to Golden Boy because he had school!". French Football Weekly. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  34. ^ "Watch: Lamine Yamal making more history! 16-year-old Barcelona sensation breaks Supercopa goalscoring record after late strike against Osasuna". www.goal.com. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  35. ^ Clark, Gill (25 January 2024). "Lamine Yamal apologises to Barcelona fans after Copa del Rey defeat to Athletic". Barca Blaugranes. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  36. ^ "FC Barcelona 3-3 Granada: Held at home in six-goal thriller". FC Barcelona. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  37. ^ "Teenage winger Yamal scores twice as Barca are held". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  38. ^ "Lamine Yamal youngest player to score twice in a La Liga match". FC Barcelona. 12 February 2024.
  39. ^ "Lamine Yamal Becomes Youngest Player Ever To Register 10+ Goals And Assists In One Season". ABP Live. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  40. ^ "Barcelona's Lamine Yamal makes Champions League history vs Napoli". OneFootball. 21 February 2024.
  41. ^ a b Peyret, Didac (4 September 2022). "¿Quién es Lamine Yamal? La perla de 15 años que ya entrena con Xavi". Sport (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  42. ^ "Rojita U15 : Lamine Yamal s'éclate face à la Suisse (vidéo)". Lions de l'Atlas (in French). 7 May 2022. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  43. ^ Alvarez, Angel (30 May 2023). "Lamine Yamal se despide del Europeo sub-17 con otro golazo antológico: es un elegido". Crónica Global (in Spanish).
  44. ^ "España cae con honores (1–3) ante Francia en las semifinales del Europeo". Real Federación Española de Fútbol (in Spanish). 30 May 2023.
  45. ^ "Oficial| Lista de convocados para los partidos contra Georgia y Chipre" (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. 1 September 2023.
  46. ^ "16-year-old Barcelona talent subject to "suffocating pressure" during international selection decision". Football España. 1 September 2023.
  47. ^ "Yamal becomes Spain's youngest player and scorer". BBC Sport. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  48. ^ Marsden, Sam (8 September 2023). "Spain teen Yamal scores, breaks record on debut". ESPN. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  49. ^ "Lamine Yamal becomes youngest Spain player – and scorer – in rout of Georgia". The Guardian. P. A. Media. 8 September 2023.
  50. ^ "Lamine Yamal: Iliopsoas muscle injury in left leg". FC Barcelona. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  51. ^ Marsden, Sam; Llorens, Moises (10 October 2023). "Barça injuries mount as Yamal out of Spain team". ESPN. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  52. ^ Summerscales, Robert (15 October 2023). "Scotland And Spain Qualify For Euro 2024". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  53. ^ Rassouli, Thomas (28 December 2019). "Barça : le successeur de Messi déjà au club ?". Onze Mondial (in French). Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  54. ^ "Xavi wil meer zien van 'mini-Messi' Yamal (15)". Voetbal International. 5 September 2022. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  55. ^ Matrone, Pierpaolo (5 September 2022). "Il Barça scopre 'il nuovo Ansu Fati': presto primo contratto da professionista per Lamine Yamal". TUTTOmercatoWEB.com (in Italian). Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  56. ^ "Lamine Yamal". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  57. ^ a b "Lamine Yamal". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  58. ^ "FC Barcelona, Liga champions 2022/23!". FC Barcelona. 14 May 2023.
  59. ^ "Lamine Yamal wins LALIGA EA SPORTS Goal of the Month for March". La Liga. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  60. ^ "Aitana Bonmatí and Lamine Yamal win Golden Boy 2023 awards". FC Barcelona. 17 November 2023.
  61. ^ "IFFHS MEN'S YOUTH (U20) UEFA TEAM 2023". 5 February 2024.
  62. ^ "2023 Under-17 EURO: Top scorers". UEFA.com. 2 June 2023.
  63. ^ "2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament". UEFA.com. 10 June 2023.

External links

  • Lamine Yamal at the La Liga website
  • Lamine Yamal – UEFA competition record (archive)
  • Lamine Yamal at WorldFootball.net Edit this at Wikidata
  • Lamine Yamal at LaPreferente.com (in Spanish) Edit this at Wikidata
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