Despite the loss of Barcelona against AS Monaco in the opening round of the Champions League, there was one player who shone, like he always does. Lamine Yamal scored his first-ever goal in the competition and in that process, went on to create more history.
The 17-year-old became the second-youngest player to net a goal in Europe’s prestigious club competition. The only one who has reached this milestone quicker than him is his teammate and La Masia prodigy Ansu Fati.
Ever since Lamine Yamal broke into the first team last season, he has been breaking ‘youngest to’ records that were held by Ansu previously. However, as per Mundo Deportivo, this is one record that the 17-year-old has not been able to take from his senior teammate.
The report adds that by scoring the goal and entering the record books, Lamine has managed to add more history to Barcelona in the prestigious competition. Two of the youngest players to score in the Champions League belonging to the club makes for good reading.
Lamine’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of remarkable. He is leading the statistical list for the next Golden Boy award and it would be a surprise if anyone other than him was to walk away with that award at the end of this year.
In fact, such has been his performances since the turn of the year that there is clamor for him to finish in the top 10 Ballon d’Or rankings when the list is announced in October. Winning the Euros and playing a starring role certainly helps.
So far this season, Lamine has emerged as the face of La Liga. He has outshone his Real Madrid compatriots like Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe and has scored thrice and provided four assists in five La Liga games.
If he continues on a similar track, the world is Lamine Yamal’s oyster and he can choose his destiny. The 17-year-old looks set to mark a generation in a Barcelona shirt and one can only hope that injuries don’t stop him from becoming the player he looks set to become. Let’s wait and see how it goes.