Lamine Yamal continues to prove he is not just a rising talent but a fully established star in world football. At only 17 years old, the FC Barcelona winger has already recorded 14 goals and 18 assists in the 2024/25 season, delivering standout performances in the most crucial matches for both club and country.

Far from being a mere prospect, Yamal has silenced critics with numbers and, more importantly, game-defining moments. His influence in Clásico fixtures is already noteworthy.

A Clásico Performer with a Point to Prove

In the 0-4 win at the Santiago Bernabéu last October, he scored the third goal and was unfortunately subjected to racist abuse from a section of the home fans.

He responded emphatically in the Spanish Super Cup final, scoring a stunning goal reminiscent of Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, and also sparked the play that led to the fifth goal in Barcelona's 1-5 rout of Real Madrid. This came after a controversial moment in LaLiga 2023/24, when a clear goal he scored at the Bernabéu was disallowed, despite the ball having visibly crossed the line — a decision not corrected by the referee or VAR.

Chasing His First Copa del Rey Title

On Saturday, April 26, Yamal will play in his third professional final, the 2024/25 Copa del Rey Final against Real Madrid at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville. His impact in this competition has already been critical: he assisted Robert Lewandowski in the first leg of the semifinal against Atlético Madrid (4-4), and in the return leg at the Metropolitano, he set up Ferran Torres with a brilliant pass and scored the match-winning goal in the 2-4 victory.

The youngster already boasts two major titles: the UEFA Euro with Spain and the Spanish Super Cup with Barça. He could add a third this weekend and is potentially on track for a fourth final if Barcelona reaches the UEFA Champions League final, where he’s also been a standout.

European Brilliance Under Pressure

Yamal’s performances in Europe reinforce his readiness for the elite stage. During the Champions League group stage, he impressed in the 4-1 win over Bayern Munich, assisting Raphinha with a trademark play. In the Round of 16 against Benfica, he scored a stunning goal and added another assist in a man-of-the-match display. He followed it up in the quarterfinals, scoring against Borussia Dortmund with a subtle Romário-style finish that helped secure the semifinal berth.