Lamine Yamal: The Teenage Sensation Dreaming of a Treble with Barcelona
In the world of football, few stories capture the imagination quite like that of a young prodigy making waves on the biggest stage. Enter Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old sensation who has been lighting up the pitch for Barcelona this season. In a candid conversation with ESPN, Yamal shared his feelings about his meteoric rise, likening it to playing a video game, specifically “Pro Evolution Soccer [sic].”
Yamal’s stats this season are nothing short of remarkable. With 13 goals and 19 assists, he has been instrumental in keeping Barça in contention for a treble as they approach the final stretch of the campaign. Currently, Barcelona leads LaLiga by four points with eight games remaining. They are also set to face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on April 26 and will welcome Borussia Dortmund to the Olympic Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.
When asked about the possibility of winning a treble, Yamal exuded confidence. “I’m one of those people who always trusts their team,” he told ESPN. “From the start of the season, I always aim for the maximum. So, if we can win the treble at the start of the season, that’s the aim. It’s no different now. It’s not because of overconfidence or anything like that, it’s because you have to believe in yourself.”
Yamal’s journey with Barcelona began two years ago when he made his debut as a 15-year-old. Since then, he has shattered records, becoming the youngest player to score in both LaLiga and the Champions League knockout rounds. He also holds the distinction of being Spain‘s youngest ever debutant and goal scorer, and he was part of the team that became European champions last summer.
Reflecting on his rapid ascent, Yamal equates it to a dream-like experience. “It is like a dream,” he said. “I still think that. If we reach the final of the Champions League, the final of the Copa del Rey, the [Clásico] final this month, the World Cup [next year with Spain] … Everything is like a dream. It’s as if I’m playing PES. It’s incredible.”
Despite the pressure of playing in some of football’s biggest matches, Yamal remains unfazed. “I don’t [notice the pressure]. I just try to enjoy myself. I don’t think too much about other things. I also don’t think too much about what I am doing, what I am doing tomorrow, what game I am playing, if it’s more important [than others].”
Yamal’s importance to both club and country cannot be overstated. He has played 3,448 minutes for Barça in all competitions this season, with only Jules Koundé, Pedri, and Raphinha logging more time on the pitch. He has started the last 21 matches for the Catalan club, a testament to his growing influence.
There have been calls for Yamal to be rested more, given his young age and the amount of football he has played. However, the teenager insists he is feeling fit as the season enters its final two months. “[I’m feeling] very good,” he said. “I think one thing I have learned this year is how to manage myself. There are people who say: ‘Why don’t you move for 10 minutes?’ But at the end of the day, there are moments when you don’t have to run all the time.”
Yamal’s current contract with Barcelona expires in 2026, but he has confirmed his intention to sign a new, long-term deal when he turns 18 later this year. He hopes this will be the beginning of a long and successful career with the club.
- Yamal’s debut for Barça: Age 15
- Goals this season: 13
- Assists this season: 19
- Minutes played this season: 3,448
- Contract expiration: 2026
When asked where he sees himself in 10 years, Yamal responded with a smile, “That’s a difficult question. [I’ll be] 27 [years old] … I think similar to now, going between the training ground and my house, and back to the training ground.”
Originally Written by: Sam Marsden,Moises Llorens
