Lamine Yamal, the irrepressible phenomenon who keeps beating bookmakers in the soccer world, is shaping up as an undeniable force. Just 17 years and two months into his young life, he is already one of the most influential players in Europe's top leagues, fighting for a name among big shots like Haaland, Lewandowski, and Salah. His recent performance against Girona only adds to that narrative and tends to show not just skill but maturity far beyond his years.
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The goal that made the difference
During the game against Girona, Lamine made sure to show why he is being referred to as a "phenomenon." He didn't just steal the ball with sheer determination in his first goal; he finished with a precision that left goalkeeper Gazzaniga completely helpless. The chip he made over the keeper wasn't an accident. Far from it-it was calculated, showing the coolness of a player well beyond his age.
That first moment alone was enough to capture the media's attention, but Lamine wasn't done. A few minutes later, his second goal arrived. This time, with the inside of his left foot, he smoothly placed the ball in the corner of the net in a numbingly cool manner. He looked like a seasoned pro, unfazed by the pressure. And for such a young kid, that's not just talent; that's proof he has something really special, something few players have.
The numbers don't lie
Where his two goals against Girona were impressive, the stats of Lamine this season are even more striking: three goals and four assists in Europe's top league, second in the direct goal contributions, coming behind only Erling Haaland. Candidly, coming behind Haaland, who has become Manchester City's scoring machine, is not a small achievement. This puts Lamine ahead of household names like Lewandowski, Salah, and Harry Kane.
With these numbers, the young forward isn't just cementing himself as one of today's brightest prospects; he's pushing the boundaries of what's expected from a player his age. Most athletes at 17 years old are still trying to get themselves comfortable with professional soccer. But Lamine? He's already playing among the best.
Maturity on and off the field
The thing that is perhaps even more impressive about Lamine isn't just his technical skill but his demeanor on the field. He doesn't hustle around like most youngsters on the block who want to prove their salt immediately. Unlike many of their peers, who often burst onto the scene with a desire to prove themselves, Lamine plays with a certain calm confidence, as if he's already had years of experience in major competitions. His professional debut gave a glimpse of this composure, but it was during the Girona match that it became more evident. He started the game a little shaky, with some ball-handling errors, but he shortly settled down and eventually decided the outcome of the match.
That shows in the subdued celebrations after these two goals. There's no wild euphoria; there's no desperate cry for attention. He celebrates like one who has been there, like scoring goals is second nature. Such maturity signals one thing: Lamine Yamal is destined for greatness.
The bright future of Lamine Yamal
At an age of only 17 and already in consideration for major awards, such as the Ballon d'Or, Lamine Yamal's performances in Euro 2024 in Germany brought him an award as Best Young Player, and it wasn't by accident that his name came onto the radar of such top lists. By the way he was carrying himself in the field, one could tell he isn't just passing through-he's here to stay.
Another headache that might see coach Hansi Flick having a headache with regards to player rotation is probably the injury to one of the team's key players, Dani Olmo. But once Lamine is on the pitch, Barcelona have an ace up their sleeve that most clubs would die to have.