Barca s Yamal rises to stardom in stellar year capped with title triumph

BARCELONA - Barcelonas 28th Spanish league title caps a remarkable season defined by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who at 17 has emerged as world footballs most electrifying talent.

Following in the footsteps of fellow graduates of Barcas La Masia academy Gavi and Ansu Fati, Yamal first made his mark internationally last summer, helping Spain win the European Championship.

Since then, his mesmerizing performances have drawn comparisons to La Masias greatest product, Lionel Messi.

Yamal reached his 100th Barcelona appearance last month -three years younger than Messi was when he achieved the same feat - during a thrilling 3-3 draw with Inter Milan at Montjuic, where he became the youngest player ever to score in a Champions League semi-final.

Record-breaking has become routine for Yamal. He became the youngest goalscorer in European Championship history last year with a stunning long-range shot against France that helped his side reach the final, where they beat England and he was named Young Player of the tournament.

He is the youngest player to debut and score for Spain and in LaLiga, the Champions League and the Euros. He also holds the records for youngest player in a Clasico and youngest scorer in both the Super Cup and Copa del Rey.

His performance against Inter Milan established him as a frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon dOr award.

Even as Barcelona narrowly missed reaching their first Champions League final in a decade - with Inter fighting back to win 4-3 in extra time in the second leg at San Siro - Yamal remained exceptional, repeatedly threatening to equalise in extra time only to be denied by goalkeeper Yann Sommers saves and the woodwork.

Yamal has been the heartbeat of Barcelonas attack this season with 15 LaLiga assists and 25 across all competitions, plus 17 goals in 53