Lamine Yamal: The Teenage Prodigy Lighting Up World Football
His non-penalty expected goals (npxG) of 9.62 place him in the top 92nd percentile of La Liga players, a remarkable feat for a player his age.
Barcelona young star Lamine Yamal. Photo/Getty Images.
By Robert Assad
At just 17, Lamine Yamal is rewriting the record books and sparking debates about who deserves football’s most coveted individual prize, the Ballon d’Or.
Renowned agent Jorge Mendes recently declared, “Lamine Yamal deserves to win the Ballon d’Or. He’s the best,” a bold claim that’s hard to dismiss given the teenager’s jaw-dropping performances in the 2024-2025 season.
Yamal, the FC Barcelona winger, has taken La Liga by storm. In 31 matches, he’s scored 6 goals and provided 12 assists, averaging a goal involvement every 0.65 matches, placing him among the league’s elite playmakers.
His 15 assists across all competitions rank him fourth in La Liga, while his 57 chances created highlight his creative brilliance.
His non-penalty expected goals (npxG) of 9.62 place him in the top 92nd percentile of La Liga players, a remarkable feat for a player his age.
Beyond numbers, Yamal’s flair captivates. His 1260 dribbles and 113 passes into the box showcase his ability to unlock defenses with ease. In a recent UEFA Champions League clash against Inter, Yamal earned an 8.7 Sofascore rating, scoring a stunning goal that left goalkeeper Yann Sommer helpless. This performance prompted Inter’s Simone Inzaghi to call him “a talent that comes along every 50 years.”
Yamal’s impact extends to the international stage. At UEFA Euro 2024, he became the youngest player to feature in a final, scoring against France and delivering four assists en route to Spain’s title. His Young Player of the Tournament award cemented his status as a global star.
Mendes’ Ballon d’Or endorsement isn’t without competition. Players like Mohamed Salah and Yamal’s teammate Raphinha are also in contention, with Salah’s 28.38% shot conversion rate outpacing Yamal’s 4%.
Yet, Yamal’s unmatched possession stats—completing 57.78% of his four take-ons per 90 minutes—set him apart as a generational talent.
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