Lamine Yamal’s remarkable rise in world football has taken another historic step, as the Barcelona prodigy now ranks second all-time in goal contributions before turning 18.
Despite ending his 2024/25 season with a UEFA Nations League final loss to Portugal, the young Spaniard continues to attract global attention for his exceptional form at club level.
Born to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, Yamal’s African heritage adds a unique dimension to his growing reputation as one of the finest teenage talents to emerge from Europe in recent years.
His performances for Barcelona over the past season have not only won silverware but also cemented his place among the game’s generational prospects.
Yamal registered 18 goals and 25 assists across all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign, playing a decisive role in Barcelona’s domestic treble.
That output has propelled his career total to 67 goal involvements (31 goals, 36 assists) before his 18th birthday—a tally only bettered by football legend Pelé.
According to comparative data, Pelé remains unmatched in this category, recording 126 goal contributions (95 goals, 31 assists) in just 80 games as a teenager.
Behind Yamal are Diego Maradona with 66 contributions in 95 games, and Brazilian icon Ronaldo, who notched 61 in just 53 appearances.
Yamal’s numbers underscore a consistency and maturity beyond his age, prompting discussions about his potential Ballon d’Or candidacy for 2025.
While the international season ended in disappointment, his individual performance throughout the campaign could yet deliver global individual honours.
With Barcelona continuing to build around his talent, Yamal now sits at the pinnacle of teenage football history alongside icons of the game.
