15-year-old Lamine Yamal became the youngest La Liga player in FC Barcelona’s history with his appearance against Real Betis on April 29, 2023. In the process, he broke a 101-year-old record for the club.
There are few clubs in world football whose academy runs through the club’s fabric quite like FC Barcelona. Through their famed academy “La Masia“, world football has been showered with supreme players like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, and Lionel Messi among countless others.
Naturally, such a prolific production chain means that FC Barcelona have famously given chances to young players regardless of their age.
Here are the top five youngest players to play for FC Barcelona-
Lamine Yamal (15 years 9 months 16 days)- vs Real Betis on April 29, 2023
The man of the moment. Lamine Yamal has been garnering all the positive headlines after a sterling performance on his debut. The prodigy almost had a goal on his debut and should have had an assist as he showed some silky touches and maturity beyond his years.
Lamine Yamal’s potential has been exciting coaches at FC Barcelona for a long time. With his first-team debut now done, the future looks promising for the youngster.
Lamine Yamal becomes the youngest player to EVER debut with Barcelona first team. 🔵🔴 #FCB
Born on July 13, 2007 ✨ pic.twitter.com/2OxJNKl5M6
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 29, 2023
A left-footed forward who is comfortable playing across the front line, Yamal is sure to have a pivotal role in any success Barcelona have in the future.
Armand Martinez Sagi (15 years 11 months 5 days)- vs Sporting Gijon on April 2, 1922
This is the 101-year-old record broken by Lamine Yamal. Armand Martinez Sagi was a striker who played for FC Barcelona for a combined 6 years. He played 13 official matches for the club (as per FC Barcelona) and scored six goals.
Sagi was the brother of Anna Maria Martinez Sagi, the first women director of FC Barcelona. The club has paid tribute to him for his services at Les Courts ground in 2022.
Paulino Alcantara (16 years 5 months 10 days)- vs Real Sociedad on March 17, 1913
The Alcantara surname runs in the FC Barcelona youth system. Paulino Alcantara was one of the club’s first superstars. He scored 395 goals in 399 games for the club and was the club’s top scorer before a certain Argentine named Lionel Messi blazed through the club’s record books.
He won five Spanish Championships and 10 Catalonian Championships at the club. His iconic moment was when his shot ripped through the net during Spain’s game against France, a feat remembered today.
Alcantara retired from playing in 1927 to become a doctor, eventually ending up on the club’s board of directors from 1931-1934.
Vicente Martinez (16 years 9 months 7 days)- vs Real Madrid on October 19, 1941
Vicente Martinez was a left-back who came through the club’s famous youth system to make his debut at the highest stage in 1941- in El Clasico.
However, his career at the club was short. He made just 23 appearances for the club before he spent his career going from club to club in Spain. He died on October 2, 2018.
Ansu Fati (16 years 9 months 25 days)- vs Real Betis on August 25, 2019
At last, a modern-day record after some interesting history lessons. Ansu Fati broke through at FC Barcelona as a precocious 16-year-old with breathtaking talent.
His career arguably hasn’t reached the heights many fans would have hoped after his terrific debut season due to injuries. However, aged just 20, he still has his whole career in front of him.
Fati still looks dangerous whenever he takes the field and Los Cules would hope that Lamine Yamal shows the same talent minus the injuries.
*This article is sponsored by Data Security Council of India (DSCI), is a not-for-profit, industry body on data protection in India, setup by NASSCOM®