Barcelona secured their 29th Spanish league title with three games remaining after a 2-0 win over rival Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday.
Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old who now wears the No. 10 jersey once worn by Lionel Messi, led Barcelona in both goals and assists for the first time this season. He scored 16 goals and added a competition-leading 11 assists in La Liga play, despite missing several games with a muscle injury.
Yamal's Rise to Stardom
The teenage sensation also leads the league in dribbles with 133. His creativity with the ball and infectious competitive attitude have made him indispensable to Hansi Flick's side. Yamal is set to star for Spain at the upcoming World Cup.
His increased output helped compensate for the absence of Raphinha during two injury layoffs and the diminished role of veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, who at age 37 lost his first-choice status.
Midfield Domination
Barcelona possessed the top midfield in the league and used it to crush the competition. The Blaugrana led the 20-team division in both scoring and defense with 91 goals scored and only 31 conceded.
Fermín López, targeted by Chelsea in last summer's transfer window, stayed put and emerged as a key player with 13 goals and nine assists. Pedri dictated the pace from the midfield engine room.
Flick found ways to endure a spate of muscle injuries that sidelined Yamal, Raphinha, Jules Koundé, Frenkie de Jong and other key players for several weeks at a time.
Collective Attack
With Flick often using Lewandowski as a substitute, the attack became a more collective effort. Striker Ferran Torres used his greater mobility to link up well with Yamal and has scored 16 league goals, three more than Lewandowski.
Marcus Rashford contributed eight goals — including the one on Sunday — and several assists as he adapts well to Barcelona while on loan from Manchester United.
The club is reportedly looking to sign a striker this summer, putting the immediate future of both Lewandowski and Rashford in doubt.