Lamine Yamal hopes to lead Barcelona to the treble at the end of the season.
Having beaten Benfica, Barcelona have a real chance to secure Champions League glory.
Crucial to Barcelona’s success has been the number of La Masia graduates in the team.
Lamine Yamal: Teenager Continues Upwards Trajectory
Following the departure of Barcelona’s greatest-ever player, Lionel Messi, many fans wondered who would be the ideal replacement for the Argentine. Many were given opportunities, such as Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele, and Malcom, but failed to deliver consistently. However, that all changed when Lamine Yamal made his debut for the club aged 15.
Since then, the Spaniard has become a mainstay of the side and helped Spain win the 2024 Euros. Fans are clamouring over the talent Yamal has with his no-fear attitude and dribbling that gives defenders nightmares.
Barcelona fans know how crucial Lamine Yamal is. When the winger was injured, the side slipped from first in La Liga to third. However, since returning to the side, Yamal has helped Barcelona climb back to the top of the table and was crucial in the win over Benfica.
It was Yamal’s assist for Raphinha to put Barcelona ahead, and his goal took the tie further away from Benfica. The ability to dribble with the ball and put in accurate crosses every time is what separates the teenager from other young attackers. With Robert Lewandowski in the box, it is a recipe for success for the Catalan club.
Barcelona Hope for First Champions League Triumph Since 2015
Barcelona fans will be hoping to secure the treble this season with the Champions League the priority for fans. The Spanish club has been notorious for their second-leg collapses, with Anfield 2019 and Rome 2018 being painful reminders. Since then, the club has been unable to mount a serious charge for Champions League glory.
Speaking after Barcelona’s win over Benfica,, their former player Thierry Henry said, “Barca have one guy that can control the tempo of the game. People often refer to the killers and you will go to Raphinha, but don’t sleep on Pedri. We had a guy like that in Xavi, who controlled the tempo and rhythm of the game. When you have a guy like that in midfield, Pedri won man of the match, and this is why I think they are contenders, but there’s a long road ahead.”
La Masia has been crucial to Barcelona’s success this season. The Spanish side, who has so often recruited top players, have been left in financial turmoil. Following this, the club has had to rely on their academy, which has seen players like Lamine Yamal come through. There are others, such as Balde, Cubarsi, Pedri, Gavi, and Marc Casado. An experienced manager such as Hansi Flick has led Barca to compete for the treble with a team consisting of players from the academy.
Can Lamine Yamal guide Barcelona to treble glory? Comment below