Lamine Yamal: Barcelona star makes history after landmark appearance

​

Bellingham in top ten 

©TM/IMAGO

Lamine Yamal has already amassed an incredible collection of records during his meteoric rise. The Spanish phenomenon burst onto the scene at Barcelona and became the youngest goalscorer in LaLiga history, aged just 16 and 87 days against Granada. In the Champions League, Yamal is the youngest player to start in European football’s elite competition and the youngest to provide an assist.

The La Masia graduate also became the youngest ever El Clasico player when he featured against Real Madrid in October 2023. After his breakthrough season with Barcelona, Yamal cemented his status as a generational talent at Euro 2024 when he became the youngest player to score in the European Championships and to win an international trophy. The 17-year-old was rewarded by becoming the most valuable teenager ever on Transfermarkt and he made history again on Monday night.

Yamal’s appearance in Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano was his 100th professional appearance. It was the winger’s 83rd appearance for Barcelona’s first-team in combination with his 17 caps for Spain. And that secured another record for Yamal as he became the youngest player to reach 100 professional appearances at just 17 years and seven months – data collected is from players across top 10 leagues.

As the graphic above illustrates, Yamal reached the milestone four months quicker than Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian international made his professional debut at Anderlecht before signing for Chelsea and being loaned out to West Brom and Everton. Current Aston Villa star Youri Tielemans ranks third, while Yamal’s teammate at Barcelona, Pedri is fifth. Other notable names in the top ten are PSG’s  Warren Zaire-Emery and current Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.