YAMAL
- aaronptighe
- May 4
- 3 min read
With Yamal's world class performance for Barcelona v Inter in the Champions league semi-Final making headlines across the world this week, let's take a look at his youth journey. Also, Check out his balance and fleet of foot for the 1st goal, and super-fast outside foot leg-over for the crossbar chance.
Youth Career Development
Yamal's football development began at the age of seven when he joined Barcelona's esteemed La Masia academy. His early years were marked by rapid progression through the youth ranks, often playing against older opponents due to his advanced technical abilities and football intelligence. By 12, he was training with Barcelona’s under-16 team, showcasing his adaptability and skill.
This guidance by his coaches was brilliantly managed. For talented young players, simply being the best in your team is not going to help you stretch and improve. By being pitted against stronger and faster players, you have to adapt, be faster, have closer control and better touch on the ball, be stronger and think quicker.
In the 2022–2023 season, Yamal started training with Barcelona's first team under coach
Xavi Hernández. He made his senior debut on April 29, 2023, at just 15 years and 290 days old, becoming the youngest player to appear for Barcelona in La Liga. Think about that for a second. Yamal was deemed good enough at just 15 years of age to play for not just a standard professional football club, but one of the greatest in the world. Barcelona! The talent his Coach's saw must have been immense.
What is the lesson here for young players around the world and parents/guardians of those players:
1) Elite player professional development starts young. Years of practice with top skills and development coaches has already happened before the teenage years.
2) It's not about the age but the highest possible level you can play at with your abilities. Getting the balance right for the player here is important. I.E. The stretch to improve to your maximum, with enjoying the training and games, through seeing and feeling achievement.
Achievements and Recognition
Yamal's impact has been profound both at the club and international levels. He has made over 100 appearances for Barcelona, contributing 22 goals and 33 assists. His performances have been instrumental in Barcelona's successes, including La Liga and Copa del Rey titles.
Internationally, Yamal debuted for Spain's senior team on September 8, 2023, scoring in a European Championship qualifier and becoming the youngest player to play and score for Spain at 16 years and 57 days . He played a pivotal role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, earning the Young Player of the Tournament award .
His accolades include the Golden Boy award in 2024, recognizing him as Europe's best under-21 player, and the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the world's best player under 21.
Peer and Expert Opinions
Hansi Flick, Barcelona's head coach, lauded Yamal as a "genius" following his standout performance against Inter Milan in the Champions League semifinals. Yamal's goal in that match made him the youngest scorer ever in a Champions League semifinal at 17 years and 291 days.
Simone Inzaghi, Inter Milan's coach, described Yamal as a "once-in-50-years talent," acknowledging the challenge his team faced in containing the young prodigy.
Thierry Henry, former Arsenal and Barcelona striker, remarked that Yamal's achievements at such a young age are "just not normal," noting that Yamal has more goal contributions at 17 than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo did at the same age.
Luis Figo, former Real Madrid and Barcelona star, expressed amazement at Yamal's composure and maturity, stating that his teammates should emulate his example.
Fabio Capello, ex-Real Madrid coach, cautioned against overhyping Yamal, emphasizing that while Yamal is an extraordinary talent and a Ballon d'Or contender, he does not yet match the genius of Lionel Messi
One2Pro:
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Be the One!
Aaron Tighe
Founder, One2Pro
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