BARCELONA – Coming on as a late substitute in Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Real Betis on Saturday, the Catalan club’s forward Lamine Yamal, 15, made history by becoming their youngest player in La Liga.
Barcelona said he was their second-youngest player of all time, behind Albert Almasque, who played in the Macaya Cup at 13 years, 11 months and six days old in 1902.
Yamal replaced Gavi in the 84th minute to make his debut at 15 years, nine months and 16 days old.
“He’s got innate talent in the final third, which is difficult to find,” said Barca coach Xavi Hernandez.
“He doesn’t seem like he’s 15 years old, he’s more mature than his years. I’ve seen him train and he’s showed it. He played 10 minutes, but did well, he can mark an era at the club.”
Yamal had a shot on target during a bright cameo as Barcelona restored their 11-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table.
He also created a chance for Ousmane Dembele with a scooped pass over the top.
Xavi agreed with comparisons to Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati, who also made their Barca debuts at a young age after coming up through the club’s La Masia academy.
Born in Spain to a Moroccan father and Equatorial Guinean mother, Yamal has also represented Spain at youth levels.
“I told him to try things and he did,” Xavi told Movistar. “At 15 years old, just imagine it. He’s a special player, he could score, assist, he had confidence.”
Raphinha, who scored Barca’s third goal against Betis, said the squad were all talking about Yamal’s debut. “We were talking about this on the bench. When I was 15, I think I was playing for my neighbourhood team,” he said.
“It would have been better if he scored, but he will score at a better moment and he will be very important for the club.”
Andreas Christensen and Robert Lewandowski also struck for Barca at the Nou Camp with Guido Rodriguez netting a late own goal. Betis’ Edgar Gonzalez was sent off for a second yellow card after Christensen’s opener.
Lewandowski, La Liga’s leading scorer, reacted after Real’s Karim Benzema netted a hat-trick to move within one of his tally.
Real beat Almeria 4-2 earlier to move to 68 points, with Benzema netting his treble in the first half. Rodrygo scored their fourth, while Lazaro and Lucas Robertone replied for the visitors. AFP
