Lamine Yamal 'can mark a new era' after becoming Barcelona's youngest La Liga player

Winger, 15, made his debut off the bench in 4-0 victory over Real Betis at Camp Nou

Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Real Betis - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - April 29, 2023 FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal with coach Xavi REUTERS / Albert Gea

Barcelona manager Xavi believes Lamine Yamal “can mark a new era” after the 15-year-old became the youngest player in the club's history to play in La Liga.

Yamal was brought on late during Barcelona's 4-0 win over Real Betis at Camp Nou — a victory which moves the Catalans a step closer to a first league title since 2019.

Barca said Yamal, who was born in Spain to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, was their second youngest player of all time, behind Albert Almasque in 1902 who played in the Macaya cup at 13 years, 11 months and six days old.

The winger replaced Gavi with four minutes plus stoppage time remaining to make his debut at 15 years, nine months and 16 days old.

“He's got innate talent in the final third which is difficult to find,” Xavi told reporters. “He doesn't seem like he's 15 years old, he's more mature than his years. I've seen him train and he's showed it.

“He played 10 minutes, but did well, he can mark an era at the club.”

Yamal had a shot on target during a bright cameo as Barcelona restored their 11 point lead at the top of the table.

Xavi agreed with comparisons to Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati, who also make their debuts at young ages for the club.

“I told him to try things and he did,” Xavi told Movistar. “At 15 years old, just imagine it. He's a special player, he could score, assist, he had confidence. When you see it in training you realise he could be big.”

Lamine Yamal makes Barcelona debut

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  Barcelona manager Xavi gives Lamine Yamal his final instructions ahead of his history-making La Liga debut against Real Betis at Camp Nou on April 29, 2023. Reuters

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  Lamine Yamal plays a pass under pressure from Real Betis defender German Pezzela. AFP

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  Lamine Yamal during the match between Barcelona and Real Betis. Getty

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  Ansu Fati and Lamine Yamal embrace following Barcelona's win over Real Bets. Getty

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  Lamine Yamal attempts a shot at goal during the match between Barcelona and Real Betis. AP

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  Lamine Yamal comes on for Gavi to make his La Liga debut for Barcelona. Getty

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  Andreas Christensen celebrates scoring Barcelona's first goal against Real Betis. EPA

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  Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring Barcelona's second goal against Real Betis. AFP

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  Raphinha celebrates after scoring Barcelona's third goal against Real Betis. AP

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  Barcelona players celebrate after Real Betis' Guido Rodriguez scores an own goal. Reuters

Yamal also created a chance for Ousmane Dembele with a scooped pass over the top for the French winger.

Raphinha, who scored Barcelona's third goal against Betis, said the squad were all talking about Yamal's debut.

“We were talking about this on the bench, when I was 15 I think I was playing for my neighbourhood team,” Barca winger Raphinha told Movistar.

“And seeing him come on in this stadium, with all these people, is incredible. It would have been better if he scored, but he will score at a better moment and he will be very important for the club.”

Danish defender Andreas Christensen opened the scoring for Barca in the 14th minute, and the hosts' chances of victory were further boosted when Edgar Gonzalez was shown a red card 19 minutes later.

Barcelona took full advantage, Robert Lewandowski scoring his La Liga-leading 19th goal of the season three minutes after Betis had been reduced to 10 players. Raphinha then made it 3-0 before half time and a Guido Rodriguez own goal late in the second half completed the rout.