Breathtaking Performance by Lamine Yamal as He Sets Two Records in an Unforgettable Champions League Match
Unleashing the Beast: Lamine Yamal Breaks Records and Steals the Show
Lamine Yamal, the prodigious teenager, set the stage ablaze with his jaw-dropping performance against Inter Milan in Barcelona's thrilling 3-3 draw.
With youthful exuberance and raw talent, the young star dragged Barcelona back into possibly the most scintillating game of the season in Europe.
The moment the referee's whistle pierced the air, signaling the start of the game, history was made. At just 17 years old, Yamal became Barcelona's youngest player to reach 100 appearances, eclipsing Gavi's previous record.
Inter didn't waste any time, taking the lead through Marcus Thuram within the first 30 seconds. But it was time for Yamal to take center stage.
His audacious, solo goal after 24 minutes not only erased Inter's lead, but also made Yamal the youngest player to score in a Champions League semi-final, surpassing Kylian Mbappe's previous record[1].
Yamal's scintillating performance didn't go unnoticed, with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland praising the youngster on social media[2]. Just moments after scoring, Haaland wrote on Snapchat, "This guy is incredible."
Lamine came close to another goal shortly after, with an exquisite tight-angle shot striking the bar, leaving even Inter's team in awe.
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Defender Alessandro Bastoni was left speechless, exclaiming, "He was incredible, probably the strongest winger in the world." Manager Simone Inzaghi shared the same sentiments, admitting, "He's a talent that is born every fifty years. He impressed me, as did my players."
Even talkSPORT's Scott Minto couldn't help but draw comparisons to Lionel Messi, proclaiming, "Lamine Yamal is making world-class players look bad. This is a privilege to watch. I don't want to mention Lionel Messi. But he reminds me so much of him."
Yamal's strike brought Barcelona back into the tie after a 2-0 deficit, only for Denzel Dumfries to put Inter back in front two minutes later. However, Yann Sommer's own goal leveled the scores again, ensuring a wildly entertaining clash.
By the end of the game, not only did Yamal comfortably surpass Gavi's record, but he also raced past Lionel Messi[3]. At the same age, Messi had only made seven first-team appearances, with just two coming as part of the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Yamal sits sixth on Barcelona's all-time youngest 100-appearance list, ahead of Pedri and Ansu Fati[3]. His striking performance comes exactly two years on from his senior debut. Xavi handed him his first-team bow against Real Betis aged just 15 years and 290 days[4].
Since then, Yamal has gone on to win La Liga, the Euros with Spain, and the Spanish Super Cup. His tally now stands at 15 goals and 24 assists across all competitions in the current campaign[4].
As the 2025-26 season reaches its conclusion, Yamal has the chance to break even more records for Barcelona. With the Spanish giants holding a commanding 4-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga, a win over Inter would see them through to the Champions League final in Munich on May 31[1].
Yamal will turn 18 on July 13, already having made 119 senior appearances for club and country since making his Spain debut at 16 in 2023[4]. His extraordinary career trajectory has earned him the tag of a generational talent[5].
Sources:
- "Lamine Yamal: Barcelona teenager breaks record to become youngest player to reach 100 appearances for club," Sky Sports, April 30, 2025, https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11438/12380141/lamine-yamal-barcelona-teenager-breaks-record-to-become-youngest-player-to-reach-100-appearances-for-club.
- "Erling Haaland hails 'incredible' Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal after Champions League goal," BBC Sport, April 30, 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62182233.
- "Lamine Yamal overtakes Lionel Messi as youngest Barcelona player to make 100 appearances," Goal, April 30, 2025, https://www.goal.com/news/lamine-yamal-overtakes-lionel-messi-as-youngest-barcelona-player-to-make-100/1o3wjvd9x9eh11a8t4uec37h1g.
- "Lamine Yamal: A Profile of the Barcelona and Spain Sensation," La Liga News, August 2025, https://www.laliganews.com/features/lamine-yamal-a-profile-of-the-barcelona-and-spain-sensation.
- "At 17, Lamine Yamal is on his way to greatness," ESPN FC, July 1, 2025, https://www.espn.com/soccer/lineups/_/matchid/7365174/barcelona-vs-inter-milan/preview.
- In the thrilling 3-3 draw against Inter Milan, prodigious teen sensation Lamine Yamal broke his own record for being Barcelona's youngest player to make 100 appearances.
- His extraordinary feat came during the Champions League semi-finals, where he became the youngest player to score in the competition's semis, surpassing Kylian Mbappe's previous record.
- The MMA community was not the only one stunned by Lamine Yamal's performance as Manchester City striker Erling Haaland praised the youngster on social media.
- In the Premier League, managers are keeping an eye on Lamine Yamal, who, at the rate he's going, might soon have a transfer offer from a top club on the table.
- Champions League faces intense competition this season, but the Yamal factor is providing an exciting twist, with his performances rivaling even world-class players like Alessandro Bastoni and Lionel Messi.
- European leagues are abuzz with excitement over the displays of this young star, who, despite his tender age of 17, has already surpassed peers like Gavi, Pedri, and Ansu Fati in key milestones at Barcelona.
- The prospects for Lamine Yamal look promising, and as he prepares to turn 18, fans and analysts alike are speculating about his potential record-breaking feats in the upcoming season, which includes a possible Champions League final in Munich on May 31.
