Lamine Yamal rewrites history at Barcelona, eclipsing a long-held Lionel Messi record.

 

Lamine Yamal has outdone a Barcelona milestone once held by Lionel Messi, eclipsing a dribbling record that stood since a 2007 clash with Mallorca. The teenage sensation set the new benchmark as the Catalans triumphed over Alavés.

Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, has once again fueled comparisons to club legend Lionel Messi with another dazzling display over the weekend.

The Catalan giants secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Alavés on Sunday, capitalizing on Real Madrid’s unexpected slip against Espanyol to close the gap at the top of La Liga to just four points.

Robert Lewandowski netted the game’s only goal after an hour of play, while Yamal—despite not adding to his season tally of 15 assists—delivered a mesmerizing performance, rewriting a long-standing Messi record from 2007.

Eighteen years ago, a teenage Messi showcased his electrifying dribbling skills against Mallorca, attempting 20 dribbles and completing ten—a benchmark in Barcelona’s La Liga history. But against Alavés, Yamal went one better, attempting 21 dribbles and successfully completing 11.

Still months away from his 18th birthday, Yamal is already making an impact that surpasses what Messi achieved at the same age. When Messi turned 18, he had only one senior goal and no assists in nine games—far from the staggering influence Yamal now wields.

Handed his first-team debut at just 15, Yamal has rapidly evolved into one of Barcelona’s most vital players. With nearly four months remaining in the season, he has already amassed 79 senior appearances, contributing 39 goals and assists in that span.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was full of praise for the young prodigy after the Alavés game, saying, "Lamine is a genius. What he does in certain moments is unbelievable. I’m delighted he’s playing for Barça. At 17, he’s already showing incredible quality against tough opposition. 

I love it."