Barcelona must do more to maximize the potential of Lamine Yamal
The young superstar is a GOAT in the making but he can’t win a Champions League title by himself
BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 11: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates their team's third goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol de Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou on April 11, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) | Getty Images Goal number one for Lamine Yamal this season was to quieten the critics, and prove that he is the best player in the world. Mission accomplished, and it doesn’t matter what the Ballon d’Or has to say about it.
I can raise my hand and say I was one of those people who was concerned by birthday gate, and the other tabloid headlines he was making last summer. There wasn’t a debate about his superstar level of talent. The question was whether he could avoid off the field distractions, and at the young and tender age of eighteen, continue to mature as a professional to ensure a long and successful career in Barcelona.
Neymar and Ronaldinho will always be cautionary tales in the minds of Barca fans. On the field, he has been sublime. Across La Liga and the Champions League, he has recorded, so far, 21 goals and 15 assists.
Still, you get the feeling that Lamine isn’t even close to his ceiling. Off the field, he has been nothing short of a total professional. This coming summer, fortunately, it will be all business as he travels to North America with the intention of adding a World Cup trophy to his name.