The Barcelona winger may only be 16, but after a breakout season in La Liga, he has the ability to take this summer’s tournament by storm
Lamine Yamal has described himself as “mischievous.” It is perhaps the perfect word for this nuisance of a footballer. A tricky winger, compared often to Lionel Messi, but stylistically similar to Bukayo Saka, the teenager has established himself as one of the best talents in Europe over the course of the past 12 months.
Everyone has seen it. Former Barcelona manager Xavi said Yamal could “define an era” in Catalunya. David Villa earmarked him as a top talent, while Dani Carvajal remarked that he is almost impossible to defend. There was a sense all throughout the 2023-24 season, as Barcelona struggled their way through a torrid campaign, that Yamal was special. At times, the 16-year-old starlet was the only reason to tune in and watch the Blaugrana – such was the lack of quality in their play.
Attention now turns to the stage where the youngster could make his biggest impact yet. Luis de la Fuente has made it clear that Yamal will be an important player Spain this summer, and he will certainly be in the XI when La Roja play Croatia to open their Euro 2024 campaign on Saturday.
As long as Yamal is on the pitch, Spain, a footballing nation in dire need of an attacking talent to get behind, will feel like they have a chance.
Barca beginnings
Yamal’s promise isn’t hard to trace. The winger was marked as a top talent early on within La Masia, and he was training with the first team at 15 before making his debut at the same age. In an ideal world, the teenager probably wouldn’t have played much for Barca during the past season, but a Messi-esque cameo in the Joan Gamper Trophy in early August forced him into the picture. By November, Yamal was a regular, and by January, he was indispensable.
His stats – seven goals and 10 assists in all competitions – make for encouraging reading, but his impact expands further than that. Yamal spent most of his time in isolation, running at defenders and carving out opportunities for others. Indeed, his impact is best encapsulated in his three successful take-ons per 90 minutes (among the top 10 percent in Europe), and three carries into the final third per 90 (among the top 15%).
Yamal is a player who is judged best by the eye test, taking in the directness and incisiveness of his dribbling, and the way in which he creates angles and passing lanes for others. He popped up with some crucial goals, too, but given his age, it would be harsh for a team to pin too much on him too early.
Barca beginnings
Yamal’s promise isn’t hard to trace. The winger was marked as a top talent early on within La Masia, and he was training with the first team at 15 before making his debut at the same age. In an ideal world, the teenager probably wouldn’t have played much for Barca during the past season, but a Messi-esque cameo in the Joan Gamper Trophy in early August forced him into the picture. By November, Yamal was a regular, and by January, he was indispensable.
His stats – seven goals and 10 assists in all competitions – make for encouraging reading, but his impact expands further than that. Yamal spent most of his time in isolation, running at defenders and carving out opportunities for others. Indeed, his impact is best encapsulated in his three successful take-ons per 90 minutes (among the top 10 percent in Europe), and three carries into the final third per 90 (among the top 15%).
Yamal is a player who is judged best by the eye test, taking in the directness and incisiveness of his dribbling, and the way in which he creates angles and passing lanes for others. He popped up with some crucial goals, too, but given his age, it would be harsh for a team to pin too much on him too early.
