FC Barcelona have a long-standing tradition of polishing and developing world-class players. One of the best players in the history of football, Lionel Messi, was a product of the Barcelona academy, and since then, the club has also produced talents like Gavi and Balde.
Another player who has risen through the ranks at Barcelona and is competing for a place in the starting lineup this season is another very young forward, Lamine Yamal. The sixteen-year-old has been training with the Barcelona first team for some months now and has also had significant minutes on the pitch both in friendly and competitive matches.
Yamal to be in the Spain squad for upcoming matches
Being in the squad for a club as big as FC Barcelona is an achievement in itself for someone as young as Yamal. The player has successfully become the second youngest player to make a debut for Barcelona.
However, Yamal is close to reaching another personal milestone in the coming days. As the Spanish publication SPORT has reported, the youngster will be on Spain’s squad for its upcoming games against Georgia and Cyprus.
Yamal has chosen to represent Spain as his international side, after having mulled over his decision. He also had the option to play for Morocco, which is the country of Yamal’s father, but ultimately decided to play for Spain, as he did in the U-17 European Championship. Xavi also wanted Yamal to play for Spain, and expressed this desire in a recent media talk.
Yamal growing rapidly at Barcelona
Lamine Yamal made his debut in April in a match against Real Betis this year after impressing with the dynamics of Barcelona’s youth ranks. The player has not stopped impressing since then, as he was given chances with the first team in the pre-season.
He was particularly impressive in the Joan Gamper trophy against Tottenham, where had only ten minutes to play. However, these ten minutes were enough for Yamal to make his mark, as he contributed directly to three goals.
The player also played fourteen competitive minutes in the first game of the season against Getafe, and then made his first start for Barcelona against Cadiz. Xavi’s confidence in the player is showcased by the fact that Yamal has been getting consistent minutes despite the cutthroat competition for forward spots in the Barcelona squad.
Yamal was also highly impressive in the last match against Villarreal, as helped Barcelona clutch victory from the jaws of defeat after Barcelona went down despite having obtained a two-goal advantage in the first half.
Thus, Yamal is on course to make another leap as a professional player, and that too only at the age of 16, as he is likely to make his international debut with Spain in the coming weeks.
