Lamine Yamal has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in world football, showcasing incredible performances for both FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team. At just 17 years old, his influence on the pitch has been undeniable. His standout performances in 2024 earned him both the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy Award, accolades that reflect his significant impact at such a young age. He also played a crucial role in Spain’s triumph at UEFA Euro 2024, further cementing his place as a rising star in global football.
However, the recent weeks have shown how important Yamal is to Barcelona’s success. The team struggled in La Liga during his absence due to injury, but as soon as he returned to the starting lineup in Barcelona’s match against RCD Mallorca, his presence was immediately felt. His performance in that match was nothing short of sensational. Yamal not only won a penalty in the second half, which helped Barcelona extend their lead to 2-1 but also delivered a brilliant trivela pass to assist Raphinha for his second goal, sealing the victory for his side.
Despite his undeniable talent, former football agent and pundit Josep Maria Minguella has raised concerns about Yamal’s goal-scoring ability. He pointed out that while the young player’s general contributions are impressive, he needs to score more frequently. Minguella argued, “Barça plays 70% of the games against inferior opponents. Lamine lacks something… he doesn’t have a goal, he doesn’t have the goals he could have.” He compared Yamal to Arjen Robben, suggesting that an attacking player must score regularly to be truly effective. So far this season, Yamal has scored six goals in 18 games across all competitions, but he did miss some good chances in the Mallorca match.
Despite these critiques, it’s important to remember that Yamal is still only 17 years old. As he gains more experience and continues to develop, his goal-scoring ability will likely improve, and he will undoubtedly become an even more complete player in the future.
