Lamine Yamal is a 15-year-old football prodigy who has been causing a stir in Barcelona’s academy. Born in Catalonia, Yamal has already made a name for himself as a player to watch out for. In this article, we take a closer look at Yamal’s career, style of play, strengths, weaknesses, and his contract situation.
Lamine Yamal Early Life and Career
Yamal was picked up by the Barcelona academy before he turned five, and he has since been wowing coaches with his skills on the pitch. Despite playing above his age, Yamal has consistently impressed his coaches and has recently become the youngest player in the history of the UEFA Youth League. He is part of Barcelona’s Under-19 squad and has also trained with the first team under Xavi.
International Career
Yamal was born in Spain to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother. He is eligible to represent all three nations, but he has so far focused solely on representing Spain at the Under-15 to Under-19 level. However, there have been suggestions that Morocco could try and convince Yamal to switch allegiances. Nevertheless, the decision remains solely up to Yamal.
Lamine Yamal Style of Play
Yamal is a left-footed right-winger, who has made a name for himself with his mazy dribbling skills. He is comfortable playing anywhere in the forward line but thrives on the right wing. Scouts have hailed him as the best dribbler in Barcelona’s academy and have compared him to Neymar and Ronaldinho. Yamal is an excellent passer of the ball and has an eye for goal.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Yamal’s technique is his biggest strength, which sets him apart from other players his age. He boasts real flair in his movements, which he uses to breeze past opponents. In the final third, Yamal’s finishing is impressive, and he has shown a great footballing IQ. However, his physicality is still developing. Which means he struggles with a shoulder-to-shoulder battle. This is hardly a concern for somebody his age, and muscle mass will come with time.
Lamine Yamal’s Contract Situation
Barcelona is eagerly waiting for Yamal’s 16th birthday, which falls on July 13, 2023. On this day, they can offer him a professional contract and secure his future. However, Yamal could walk away from the club, just like Jamal Musiala did with his move from Chelsea to Bayern Munich. Bayern and Liverpool are among the top clubs that have been linked with Yamal, who is viewed as a generational talent.
READ WHAT XAVI HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE YAMAL
Final Thoughts
Lamine Yamal is undoubtedly a player to watch out for, and his future looks bright. He has shown remarkable progress and skill for someone so young, and it is no surprise that he has caught the eye of top clubs across Europe. With his technique and flair on the pitch, Yamal could be the next superstar to emerge from the Barcelona academy.