16-year-old Lamine Yamal becomes the youngest scorer in La Liga history

Barcelona’s teenage forward and Spanish international Lamine Yamal made history on Sunday as he became the youngest scorer in La Liga history at 16 Years and 87 Days in Barcelona’s 2-2 draw at Granada in La Liga. 

The teenager was rewarded with a new contract until 2026 recently for his incredible form in the 2023-24 season, including a massive €1 billion (£866m/$1bn) release clause in his new deal.

He appreciated the trust by scoring Barcelona’s first goal in Sunday’s 2-2 draw, his first in La Liga goal, making the score 2-1 after Granada’s unbelievable start to the game, which saw them enter a 2-goal lead barely 30 minutes into the fixture.

Granada’s forward Bryan Zaragoza scored the first of his brace in the first minute after an individual effort on the right flank before shooting past Ter Stergen. His second was on the 29-minute mark. Yamal pulled one back for the visitors on the stroke of half-time.

Barcelona made it 2-2 with four minutes left to play in the second half through Sergi Roberto, and they thought they had won the game when John Felix put the ball in the back of the net in stoppage time, but a VAR review saw the goal ruled out for offside.

Yamal’s performance continues to impress, although Xavi called for cautions as expectations on the teenager’s shoulder continue to swell.

 “I hope Lamine can mark an era [in football], but we are not doing him any favours saying that. It’s true the expectations are enormous, and, aged 16, he is playing at a brutal level, which is hugely positive. But let’s see what the future holds without comparing him with Messi. It’s not gone that well for all the players that have been compared with Messi in the past.” Xavi said.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu