In an era of football dominated by robotic systems and structures, Lamine Yamal’s individuality and flair bring back much-needed enjoyment to the beautiful game.
Consistently displaying the confidence and maturity of a seasoned professional, it’s easy to forget that this is only the 17-year-old’s second full season of men’s football. Not only is he carrying the torch for jinky ballers worldwide, but his fearlessness in expressing himself on and off the pitch is creating a lane for the new wave.
In 2024 the teenager graduated top of his class, consolidating his place among the best players in the world. After a breakout year with Barcelona, he set his sights on the Euros. On his way to eternal glory, he smashed every record, becoming the youngest player to feature in a European Championship final, the youngest scorer in the tournament’s history, and the youngest player to ever feature in a EURO final. Bagging five goals and assists in six starts, he played a key role in the Spanish triumph. Arriving at the tournament as a burgeoning talent, he left a bonafide champion with a winner’s medal around his neck and the admiration of the football world.
He headed into the new campaign with his high school diploma, along with a Euro winners medal, Young Player of the Tournament, and Goal of the Tournament – not to mention the Golden Boy award and Kopa Trophy. After his generational run in ‘24, this kid has become the baby GOAT.
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This season the 17-year-old has been taking it up a notch, hitting 34 goals and assists in 45 starts for Barcelona as they sit four points clear at the top of La Liga and look ahead to a Champions League semi-final tie against Inter Milan. Taking the baton from the ‘little boy in Rosario’, he has become the face of the franchise as Hansi Flick’s side chases a historic treble.
A key feature of his campaign has been his relentless commitment to playing with freedom, doing so with record-breaking success. The undisputed number one playmaker in the world, he’s at the top of the list for big chances created in open play, the most successful dribbles in the top 7 leagues, not to mention the most successful dribbles in a single La Liga match – hitting eleven against Alaves, nine against Las Palmas, and nine vs Osasuna. No other player has completed more than seven. And despite playing with the freedom of the cages he’s become a thorn in opposition defences week in and week out, threatening to impact the game with every touch.
While the stats speak for themselves, he doesn’t just talk with his feet. From pre-game stories to post-game clapbacks, this baller fears no one.
During the most recent international break, Yamal responded to Rafael van de Vaart’s criticism of the low style of his shorts with a certified banger for Spain. The youngster then went one further, celebrating by posing with his shorts low, and posting a picture of the celebration next to the Dutch pundit’s face on Instagram after full-time. The post garnered 4.7 million likes and over 42,500 comments, showing the demand from fans for authentic content from athletes.
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While not on the level of LeBron and Stephen A. Smith, it is refreshing to see ballers standing up against naysayers and speaking their minds. For too long, they’ve had to hold their tongues and refrain from speaking out. But when you’re walking the walk on the pitch, you’re entitled to talk the talk.
These exchanges bring an edge back to a sport tamed by media training and represent a key shift in football as players are becoming more empowered to challenge mainstream narratives. The body language argument peddled by pundits and the media has often been used to personally target footballers who don’t conform to the traditional mould and dare to be different. VDV’s statement “I see mannerisms that I don’t really want to see,” epitomises an archaic perception of football, one which rejects personality. But Yamal’s refusal to conform is refreshing and it is his uniqueness which is his superpower so why would we demand him to change?
And while he restores the feeling with his feet, he has also taken individuality on the pitch to new heights. In October, the youngster collaborated with Spanish jewellery label TwoJeys, rocking custom braces featuring the iconic Blaugrana colours and the brand’s signature star pattern during El Clásico. A fitting match for Barcelona’s starboy, who scored in a 4-0 win at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Given the vibes he brings, it’s no surprise he is Barcelona’s designated changing room DJ, responsible for setting the tone on matchday and getting the team ready to show out. A glimpse at his Spotify Wrapped for 2024 puts Spanish-Moroccan artist Morad at the top of his rankings, with his love for Spanish Dril and Reggaeton also on display through artists like Myke Towers and Anuel AA.
His passion for music isn’t limited to the dressing room, often posting viral TikToks with close friend and Spanish teammate Nico Williams, with his most recent video jumping on the Afrobeats track ‘Shake Body’ by Skales. His lyrical versatility highlights his creativity on the ball, regularly pulling off eye-of-the-needle passes.
@lamine.yamalShake body🕺🏾😭😂♬ Shake Body – Skales
On Saturday night, the winger dropped a classic in El Clásico whilst donning bleach-blond hair. Two assists to his name helped Barcelona clinch the Copa del Rey title and secured a third win over Real Madrid in three attempts this season.
During the post-game celebrations, the wonderkid wore two pairs of sunglasses whilst embracing the King of Spain, Felipe VI and Barcelona president Joan Laporta as he collected his winner’s medal, highlighting that Yamal doesn’t hold back his self-expression for anyone.
Looking like a baby Neymar with his new trim, he epitomises the Brazilian’s mantra ‘ousadia e alegria.’ Playing with a boldness and joy rare to see in modern football, he’s restoring hope that the game might well and truly be back for good.
But as he storms to the top, the 17-year-old hasn’t forgotten his roots. Regularly paying homage to the ends with his trademark ‘304’ celebration, a tribute to his childhood town Rocafonda where he grew up with his father. Despite his youthfulness, he’s become a certified neighbourhood hero. His tribute to the ends, where he played on the concrete court, unable to afford registration fees to play at the local stadium, reiterates his authenticity.
Despite the fame, awards, and unrelenting attention, he remains the humble Lamine to whom many in his town can attest – a beacon of hope and inspiration. The love is reciprocated as the area is adorned with tributes to him, from murals to shirts, as they celebrate one of the few who made it out the ends.
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The Golden Boy is now on track to becoming a Hall of Famer. His commitment to staying true to himself and showcasing his personality makes him a key flagbearer for the new era of football – one that reignites the lost creativity and individuality of the past. From delicate dribbles to custom braces, the mercurial winger is restoring the feeling, putting the beautiful back in the game we all love.
All the doubters be warned, this isn’t a false dawn. We are officially in the era of Lamine Yamal.
