Lamine Yamal races past Lionel Messi to make instant Barcelona history in Champions League semi-final
Lamine Yamal has broken Gavi’s record to become the youngest player to make 100 appearances for Barcelona. The winger brought up his century by featuring against Inter Milan in their Champions League semi-final second leg. Yamal has become the youngest player to make 100 appearances for BarcelonaGetty The teenager has raced past Lionel Messi to reach the landmark tallyGetty Yamal achieved the feat aged 17 years and 291 days to comfortably surpass Gavi’s previous record. The teenager becomes the first player to reach 100 Barca appearances before turning 19. Gavi had previously done so at 19 years and 29 days, with Bojan Krkic the only other player to feature 100 times as a teenager. Meanwhile, Yamal has raced past Lionel Messi, who had made just seven first-team appearances at the same age. Of those appearances, only two came as part of the starting line-up. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is now the sixth youngest player to appear 100 times for the Spanish giants. Messi reached the tally aged 20 years and 248 days, with Pedri and Ansu Fati also doing so at a younger age. Yamal’s landmark appearance comes almost exactly two years on from his senior debut. He became the youngest Barcelona and La Liga debutant back on April 29, 2023. Xavi handed Yamal his first-team bow against Real Betis aged just 15 years and 290 days. AFPGavi had been the previous record holder at 19 years and 29 days[/caption] Yamal’s century of appearances comes two years and one day after his senior debutGetty The starlet has since gone on to win La Liga last season before success with Spain at the Euros. He also lifted the Spanish Super Cup earlier this term, whilst he has 14 goals and 24 assists to his name across all competitions during the current campaign. Yamal could still break more records for Hansi Flick’s side before the end of the season, though. Barcelona’s Copa del Rey success means he remains on course to become the youngest ever treble winner. The cup winners currently hold a four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. A win over Inter would also see them through to the Champions League final in Munich on May 31. Yamal will not turn 18 until July 13, having already made 119 senior appearances for club and country. Since making his Spain debut aged 16 in 2023, he has scored four goals across 19 caps for La Roja.
Lamine Yamal has broken Gavi’s record to become the youngest player to make 100 appearances for Barcelona.
The winger brought up his century by featuring against Inter Milan in their Champions League semi-final second leg.
Yamal achieved the feat aged 17 years and 291 days to comfortably surpass Gavi’s previous record.
The teenager becomes the first player to reach 100 Barca appearances before turning 19.
Gavi had previously done so at 19 years and 29 days, with Bojan Krkic the only other player to feature 100 times as a teenager.
Meanwhile, Yamal has raced past Lionel Messi, who had made just seven first-team appearances at the same age.
Of those appearances, only two came as part of the starting line-up.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is now the sixth youngest player to appear 100 times for the Spanish giants.
Messi reached the tally aged 20 years and 248 days, with Pedri and Ansu Fati also doing so at a younger age.
Yamal’s landmark appearance comes almost exactly two years on from his senior debut.
He became the youngest Barcelona and La Liga debutant back on April 29, 2023.
Xavi handed Yamal his first-team bow against Real Betis aged just 15 years and 290 days.
The starlet has since gone on to win La Liga last season before success with Spain at the Euros.
He also lifted the Spanish Super Cup earlier this term, whilst he has 14 goals and 24 assists to his name across all competitions during the current campaign.
Yamal could still break more records for Hansi Flick’s side before the end of the season, though.
Barcelona’s Copa del Rey success means he remains on course to become the youngest ever treble winner.
The cup winners currently hold a four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
A win over Inter would also see them through to the Champions League final in Munich on May 31.
Yamal will not turn 18 until July 13, having already made 119 senior appearances for club and country.
Since making his Spain debut aged 16 in 2023, he has scored four goals across 19 caps for La Roja.
