Tag: Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal scored a fantastic goal as Barcelona came from behind three times to draw at Club Brugge in a remarkable Champions League game.

The hosts thought they had won the game in injury time when Romeo Vermant slid in on Wojciech Szczesny before scoring into an empty net – but the goal was disallowed by the video assistant referee for a foul.

Club Brugge took a sixth-minute lead when Carlos Forbs burst away down the right before squaring the ball for Nicolo Tresoldi to slide in.

But less than two minutes later Barca were level through Ferran Torres’ first-time finish from Fermin Lopez’s cross.

Fermin then curled a shot off the post – the first of three times Barca would hit the woodwork.

And suddenly they were behind again as Brugge played their way through their high line too easily and Christos Tzolis fed Forbs, who slotted home inside the box.

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Barca hit the crossbar twice, through Jules Kounde and then Eric Garcia’s drive from at least 30 yards out.

And then Yamal struck as he beat two defenders with wonderful skill before playing a one-two with Dani Olmo and beating another man before slotting in.

Forbs, who spent last season on loan with Wolves, missed a huge opportunity – but moments later made up for it by running on to Hans Vanaken’s through ball before clipping a shot past Szczesny.

Brugge thought they had a chance to make it 4-2 when Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty, for an Alex Balde tackle on Forbs, but the decision was overturned by the video assistant referee.

And Barca took advantage of that let off when Yamal’s cross was nodded into his own net by the unfortunate Tzolis.

But right at the end Szczesny, who had dawdled on the ball, got hugely lucky when VAR bailed him out after losing the ball to Vermant.

BBC SPORT

England’s Lucy Bronze has made history by being named in the Fifpro Women’s World XI for a record eighth time.

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has also entered the history books, becoming the youngest player to feature in the Men’s World XI.

Chelsea defender Bronze is one of six England players in the Women’s World XI.

Forward Chloe Kelly and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton feature for the first time, while England captain Leah Williamson and forward Alessia Russo are also included after they helped the Lionesses to win back-to-back European titles.

The final English player is Chelsea defender Millie Bright, who did not play at Euro 2025 but still makes the cut.

At the age of 18, Spain’s Yamal breaks Kylian Mbappe’s record from 2018 when the French forward made the Men’s XI aged 19.

Mbappe has also been included this time, as are England midfielders Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham.

The team is dominated by Paris St-Germain’s Champions League-winning side, with five of the players – including goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who now plays for Manchester City – in the XI.

Defenders Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, midfielder Vitinha and forward Ousmane Dembele join Donnarumma, who signed for Manchester City at the start of September.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Barcelona’s Pedri complete the line-up but Manchester City striker Erling Haaland misses out.

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The Fifpro World XI is the only global football award voted for exclusively by professional footballers.

More than 26,000 players from 68 counties selected their men’s and women’s teams this year.

Fifpro Men’s World XI:

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris St-Germain/Manchester City, Italy)

Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands), Achraf Hakimi (PSG, Morocco), Nuno Mendes (PSG, Portugal)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England), Cole Palmer (Chelsea, England), Pedri (Barcelona, Spain), Vitinha (PSG, Portugal)

Forwards: Ousmane Dembele (PSG, France) Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)

Fifpro Women’s World XI:

Goalkeeper: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea, England)

Defenders: Ona Batlle (Barcelona, Spain), Millie Bright (Chelsea, England), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea, England), Leah Williamson (Arsenal, England)

Midfielders: Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain), Ghizlane Chebbak (Badalona/Al Hilal, Morocco), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain)

Forwards: Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, Zambia), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City/Arsenal, England), Alessia Russo (Arsenal, England).

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal almost became the youngest ever Ballon d’Or winner last week at 18, and tonight’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain offers the ideal opportunity to begin stating his case for next year.

PSG star Ousmane Dembele won the award for the best player in the world but is out injured and will miss the match at the Olympic stadium, leaving runner-up Yamal the floor.

Last season it was the then 17-year-old who inspired Barcelona’s charge to the semi-finals, and despite two outstanding displays against Inter Milan, Hansi Flick’s side fell just short.

They missed out on facing PSG in the final, as the French side crushed Inter to claim their first Champions League trophy.

Yamal pledged he would bring the cup to Barcelona, who have not won it since 2015 and the days of Lionel Messi.

Despite Yamal’s quality, already immense and still increasing, Barcelona have improved without him last season.

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In the 2024⁄25 campaign they struggled when he was absent, depending far too much on him, but they have just won five games in a row, the first four of those without the teenager.

Yamal was sidelined with a groin issue but on his return against Real Sociedad on Sunday in La Liga made an instant impact when introduced in the 58^th  minute.

The right winger burst into the box and crossed for Robert Lewandowski to head home the winner, little over a minute after entering the fray.

It was the perfect way to reintroduce himself, shaking the crowd out of their stupor.

”(Just) his presence on the pitch is a threat,” said Real Sociedad coach Sergio Francisco. “He’s showing every day he’s the best player in the world. It’s a treat to watch him.”

Yamal’s impact against Real Sociedad was also a tonic for the club during a difficult week. They lost Joan Garcia and Raphinha to injury, the duo joining recently hurt duo Fermin Lopez and Gavi on the sidelines.

Barcelona were also denied permission to return to their renovated Camp Nou home by the city council, despite hopes they could host the La Real game there.

 “I’m happy to have him back, he showed it directly, his outstanding strength he has to create chances, to give the last pass. It’s good to have him back,” said Flick.

Despite his age, Yamal has made over 100 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 27 goals, and winning two La Liga titles since his debut at 15 in 2023.

The Spain international, who won Euro 2024 with his country the day after his 17th birthday, is often compared to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Barcelona all-time great Lionel Messi.

Yamal inherited his iconic number 10 shirt at the start of this season, also worn by Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho among other historic Barca stars.

Only time will tell whether Yamal will be able to reproduce Messi’s longevity, but thus far he has risen to meet every challenge he has faced since his debut at just 15.

The Argentine did not win the Ballon d’Or until he was 22, with Brazil great Ronaldo the youngest ever winner at 21.

Yamal may have missed out this year, but if he wins the award in 2026 or 2027, he will still claim that record, as he has done so many others.

 “You have to climb to get to the top,” said Yamal on Instagram after missing out in Paris, and facing PSG may be the first rung on the ladder.

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Lamine Yamal has announced he will be back for Barcelona’s LaLiga fixture against Real Sociedad tomorrow  after missing the last four matches with a groin injury.

Yamal, 18, has not featured since before the September international break, missing Barça’s wins against Valencia, Newcastle United, Getafe and Real Oviedo.

“Hey! I’m back,” the Barca forward posted on social media alongside a video of some of the best moments from his short career so far.

Prior to his injury, Yamal had started the season in fine form, scoring two goals and creating two more in the first three matches of the LaLiga season.

He then set up three more goals in Spain’s World Cup qualifying wins over Bulgaria and Turkey, but his appearances in those matches did not go down well with Barca coach Hansi Flick.

Yamal had joined up with Spain with a minor groin problem and aggravated the issue while with the national team, with Flick accusing La Roja of not taking care of their young players.

Speaking this week, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said he wasn’t interested in what Flick thought, with the German coach saying he “can live with that.”

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Meanwhile, Barca are sweating over the fitness of Raphinha for the visit of Real Sociedad this weekend.

The Brazilian forward was taken off in the second half of Thursday’s 3-1 win over Oviedo, with Flick saying the move was precautionary and he doesn’t expect a serious injury.

Elsewhere, left-back Alejandro Balde is nearing a return to first-team action after recovering from a hamstring injury, but Marc-André ter Stegen and Gavi, who it was announced this week will be out for up to five months, are long-term absentees.

Midfielder Fermín López is also out for the next three weeks after sustaining a muscle injury in the win over Getafe last Sunday.

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has been crowned the winner of the 2025 Kopa Trophy, officially recognised as the best young player in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday night.

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The 18-year-old Spanish international, already a regular starter for Barcelona and Spain, beat a competitive field of nominees to claim the award, which is voted on by former Ballon d’Or winners and honors the most outstanding talent under 21.

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal said he wants to win the Ballon d’Or multiple times, not just once, and that he will be to blame if he never gets his hands on the coveted prize.

Yamal, 18, is one of the favourites to claim the award this year alongside Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé, with the winner announced at a gala at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Sept. 22.

“I told my friends I don’t dream of winning one Ballon d’Or, I dream of winning many,” he told the podcast Resonancia de Corazón this week when asked if he coveted individual glory to go with team success.

Lamine Yamal has won multiple trophies for club and country at the age of 18. Paul Miller/Getty Images

Despite his age, Yamal has already made over 100 appearances for Barça, scoring 18 goals and providing 25 assists last season as Hansi Flick’s side won LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa.

He has started this season in similar form, scoring twice and setting up two more in three LaLiga games, and says he would be at fault if Ballon d’Or glory does not eventually follow.

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“I think I’m a player who has the ability to win it, and if I don’t, it’s because I haven’t done things right or because I haven’t wanted to,” Yamal said. “So, I dream of winning the Ballon d’Or many times and when the day comes [that I win it], I’ll be very happy.”

This year may come too soon for Yamal, with Dembélé the current favourite after helping PSG win the treble, while Vitinha, Raphinha and Mohamed Salah are also in the running.

However, with big objectives ahead of him over the next 12 months, including the Champions League with Barça and the World Cup with Spain, his name is unlikely to disappear from the conversation.

“I just want to keep winning,” he said. “I want to win with my club and with the national team.”

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has rejected criticism of Lamine Yamal for his 18th birthday celebrations.

Local government have protested against the Barca super kid after his party featured artists and dwarves.

Laporta told Mundo Deportivo: “It was an extraordinary party. Everyone was very elegant and had a great time. I regret not being there.

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“This is simply today’s youth. There’s nothing to reproach about.”

Beyond the media criticism, the president especially wanted to praise Yamal’s professionalism, having recently been assigned the number 10 jersey. The young Spanish talent, in fact, showed up regularly for training the day after the party, ready to begin summer preparations for the 2025-2026 season.

“He’s a serious, professional, and very committed guy. I have nothing to reproach him for, on the contrary,” added Laporta.

Barcelona have officially unveiled teenage sensation Lamine Yamal as the new No. 10, marking a new era at the club.

The 18-year-old winger, widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in world football, takes over the number famously worn by Lionel Messi.

Aside the symbolic jersey switch, Yamal has signed a new long-term contract that will keep him at the Catalan club until 2031, with an increased release clause reportedly set at €1 billion.

Yamal’s promotion to the No. 10 jersey comes after a stellar breakthrough season, where he dazzled with his pace, creativity, and maturity beyond his years.

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Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Yamal stated: “It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and I’m very happy. My family and I are very happy.

“Barça is my life, it’s my home. I’ve been here since I was seven.”

Outlining his goals for the future, the Barcelona No. 10 stated: “To win, always win, to enjoy life, and to keep growing.”

Concluding, Lamine said that he was looking forward to playing in front of the fans at Spotify Camp Nou this season.

“I’m really looking forward to playing in front of this crowd, at Camp Nou this year, we’ll give them a lot of joy,” he noted.