Barcelona's 15-year-old Lamine Yamal becomes youngest player in club's history

Lamine Yamal in action for Barcelona against Real Betis in April 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Barcelona's 15-year-old winger Lamine Yamal has become the youngest player to appear for their first team in the club's history after coming off the bench for the LaLiga leaders in their 4-0 win at home to Real Betis at Camp Nou on Saturday.

Yamal has been training with Barcelona's first team for some time and was called up by Xavi for last weekend's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

The youngster, who is not 16 until July, did not make it off the bench in that tight match and was an unused substitute again as Xavi's side lost 2-1 at Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.

But with Barcelona 4-0 up at home to 10-man Betis, Xavi sent the winger on for Gavi in the 83rd minute, making him the youngest player in the club's history to feature in an official first-team match.

Yamal, who was born in 2007 in Matarò just outside Barcelona, impressed in his brief appearance as well with some bright touches in the Betis half.

Andreas Christensen gave Barcelona the lead after 14 minutes and Xavi's side found themselves a man up with 33 on the clock as Edgar Gonzalez was sent off.

Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha added further goals before half-time, before a late own-goal from Guido Rodriguez gave Barcelona a comprehensive victory.

Xavi's side lead LaLIga by 11 points with six rounds remaining.

Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.