Lamine Yamal underlined his status as the world’s brightest young star by parading his second successive Kopa Trophy to a roaring Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys crowd before kick-off and then making an immediate difference on the pitch.
The 18-year-old Barcelona star became the first footballer to win the prestigious award for the world’s best U21 player in back-to-back years — and celebrated by inspiring Barça’s 2-1 comeback victory over Real Sociedad.
Born in Spain to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, Yamal embodies Barcelona’s multicultural roots and the club’s future.
On Sunday, he was making his first appearance after a month out injured, and the young forward wasted no time in changing the game.
Introduced from the bench in the 58th minute, Yamal made an instant impact with a dazzling run and quick feet, setting up Robert Lewandowski’s match-winner barely a minute later.
His cameo ensured Barcelona claimed top spot in La Liga after seven games, leapfrogging Real Madrid.
Before his injury layoff, Yamal had already registered 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches across all competitions in 2024-25 — extraordinary numbers for a teenager.
On Sunday, he once again showcased his flair, even pulling off a nutmeg that drew gasps from the home crowd and left a Real Sociedad defender trailing.
With his return, Barça supporters will hope their prodigy’s creativity and decisiveness can help sustain a title push and provide a cutting edge in Europe.
