15-Year-Old Lamine Yamal Makes History as Barcelona’s Youngest-Ever Player

Xavi Hernandez called up Lamine Yamal for this match and gave him a few minutes of playing time towards the end of regulation time, allowing the Moroccan striker to enter the history books as the youngest player in the club to make his official debut with the first team. Born in Mataró to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, Lamine Yamal, at 15 years and 290 days, has just broken the precocity record held by the Spaniard Vicenç Martinez who made his debut with Barça in 1941 at the age of 16 years and 280 days, reports La Nacion.

Lamine Yamal’s performance in this match delighted coach Xavi Hernandez. "I told him to try things, and he did. At 15 years old, imagine... He’s a talent and a special player. He knew how to score and helped, he has confidence in himself. When you see him in training, you realize that he is a player who can be very great," said the coach, who had already called up Yamal last week for the match against Atlético de Madrid. And he added: "He is like Messi and Fati, because he has that innate talent in the three-quarter field that is so difficult to find... He played 10 minutes but he played well. He is a footballer who can mark a stage in the club."

Across all European leagues (England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France), the precocity record is still held by Argentine Luka Romero, currently playing for Lazio, but who made his debut for Mallorca at 15 years and 219 days in 2020. Yamal’s contract with Barça expires in 2024, but for Xavi, this question does not affect his plans. "We are focused on the present. He has trained very well and I liked what he did. Regardless of his age and contractual status, I believe he can help us. He has very good skills," said the coach.

Yamal has been training with the first team for months, and has already played six games this season in the Youth League, the Champions League for young people. He was recently sanctioned for indiscipline and excluded from matches with the Spanish under-17 team.