Lamine Yamal beats Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jude Bellingham in unique achievement; still falls behind Barcelona teammate’s record
Barcelona teenage sensation Yamine Lamal has beaten the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jude Bellingham to set an impressive record. Lamal became the second-youngest scorer in the UEFA Champions League after netting in Barca’s 2-1 loss to AS Monaco yesterday (September 19).
Hansi Flick’s side fell short in their Champions League opener, but it was another night of record-setting for the 17-year-old. The French side took the lead early on in the game, but Lamal produced an astonishing finish from outside the box in the 28th minute to draw his side level.
By doing so, he became the second-youngest player to score in the history of the elite competition at 17 years and 68 days. Lamal's record is only bested by his fellow Barcelona teammate Ansu Fati, who reached the milestone aged 17 years and 40 days.
Notably, the Spaniard scored his first Champions League goal much quicker than Messi, Ronaldo and even Bellingham. The Argentine was 18 when he score his first Champions League goals against Greek club Panathinaikos.
Ronaldo, who boasts of 140 Champions League goals, did not register his first until the age of 22 against AS Roma in 2007. Bellingham was also 17 when he scored his first for Borussia Dortmund against Manchester City in 2021, but his came with more days (289 days old).
Whilst he was days short of being the youngest goalscorer in the Champions League, Yamal did set another record.
The Euro 2024 winner became the youngest player to play the most games in the Champions League at age 17 or below. He has featured in 11 games so far for Barca since making his debut in the competition in the 2023-24 season.
Cristiano Ronaldo heaps praise on Barca’s Lamine Yamal
Cristiano Ronaldo recently lavished praise on Barcelona’s youngster Lamine Yamal. Since making his breakthrough last season, the Spanish youngster has continued to make the headlines with his stand-out performance.
Yamal played a huge part in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph and is considered as one of the best youngsters in the game currently. Many have tipped the teenager to go on and achieve great things in football, and Ronaldo shares the same sentiments.
Speaking recently to the media, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner referred to Yamal as ‘one of the best of his generation. Cristiano Ronaldo said (as reported by Fabrizio Romano):
"I see a lot of talent in Lamine Yamal. I hope he does not have any problem in the future and I think he will be one of the best in thus generation, for sure."
Cristiano Ronaldo has also named Yamal as a future Ballon d’Or winner. The Barcelona star was named in the 30-man list for the 2024 award and is the favorite to win the 2024 Golden Boy award and Kopa Trophy.