Lamine Yamal Nasraoui, 17, a Spanish professional footballer, is currently a sensation in the world of football. The Catalonian is plying his trade at Barcelona FC as a right winger. He made his debut for the Spain National Team in the just concluded European Championship (Euros). His strike at the EUROs, against France, made him the youngest player to score at the European championships in its 64-year history. Regarded as one of the best young talents in the world at the moment and he can only get better.
He won his first title with Barça on 14 May 2023. He was part of the squad that won the La Liga 2022/23.
Humble Beginnings
Lamine Yamal arrived at FC Barcelona, when he was 7, from his local club CF La Torreta. While there, he quickly rose through the age categories compared to other player of his generation.
His coach, Xavi Hernandez, asked him to start playing for the first team when he had barely played for the U19 team. In April 2023, Yamal made his debut for the first team at just 15 years& 9 months, against Real Betis, becoming the youngest player ever to represent Barça. He won La Liga with the squad earning him his first title.
He continued with the first team for preseason in 2023/24 albeit being in the B squad. The power forward, however, became a regular presence in the first-team squad.
Yamal goal scoring and assists statistics are very impressive. His appearances in competitions such as La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey are proof. In total in 2023/24, he made 50 appearances for Xavi Hernández’s team, scoring 7 goals.
Internationally, Lamine made history again by becoming the youngest player ever to play for the Spanish national side. As if that’s not enough, he capped it with being their youngest-ever goalscorer.
The just concluded EUROs made him the youngest player ever in the championship since its debut. He started for Spain against Croatia at the age of 16 years and 338 days. The winger set more records on his way to victory in the final against England, amongst them becoming the youngest player ever to appear in a major tournament final.
Yamal’s Career Fun Facts
- Yamal is a son of a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother.
- He joined FC Barcelona’s youth ranks at only the age of 7.
- He compensates for his 5ft 9in height average with a blistering burst of speed and impressive strength.
- A left-footed right-winger makes him a tough opponent on a one-on-one duel.
- He celebrates his goals by showing the number 304, with his fingers, in honour of the postcode of his hometown Mataro, Catalonia.
The Future Is Bright
Lamine Yamal stands out from his peers for his ability to take on any player, create chances (assists), and for his versatility as a striker, attacking midfielder, or on the right wing.
Those close to him describe him as a calm and focused teenager who is very close to his family. As FIFA World Cup 26 is slowly coming into view, football fans all over the world are excited to be thrilled by the young bull. We have yet to witness the star break more records and set new ones. We pray for his luck and discipline as he takes on the world stage for years to come.
