In the showdown between Barça and Real Sociedad, which ended in a 2-0 win for the former, Lamine Yamal emerged as the standout performer, earning the title of the match’s top player.
His pivotal moment came in the 40th minute when he broke the deadlock, alleviating the mounting pressure on Barcelona from the onset.
Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Yamal showcased remarkable agility and vision, orchestrating clear-cut opportunities for Xavi’s squad through his adept shooting, tactical positioning, and precise passing to his teammates.
Speaking about his performance, Xavi had nothing but admiration for the young forward, saying, “He is the chosen one,” as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
A room for improvement for Yamal
As a mainstay in the starting lineup for 19 league matches, the forward continues to ascend and solidify his role as a key component on the right flank of the offensive unit.
Xavi, reflecting on the game, emphasized Yamal’s transformative impact, asserting that he is a game-changer on the field, although he also assured that there is still room for improvement.
“Lamine Yamal’s improvement in 1 year is extraordinary. He is not perfect at a tactical level, but that’s normal. He’s 16 years old,” added the manager.
With his latest goal, the Barcelona number 27’s tally in the league rises to five goals, adding to his impressive count of seven across all competitions.
Notably, his achievement at the age of 16 years and 305 days marks a historic milestone, making him the youngest player ever in La Liga history to notch five goals before turning 17.
Yamal’s influence extended far beyond his scoring contribution. Throughout the entirety of the 90 minutes, he maintained a high level of involvement, registering two additional shots on target—one thwarted by Real Sociedad’s defence and another narrowly missing the mark.
In a game where victory was a must, Yamal showcased both his offensive prowess and resilience in the face of defensive pressure to be named the Most Valuable Player.
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