BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lamine Yamal donned the No. 10 jersey once worn by Lionel Messi and helped lead Barcelona to a second straight Spanish league title. The 18-year-old star is set to represent Spain at the upcoming World Cup.
Hansi Flick's side clinched Barcelona's 29th domestic title with three games remaining after a 2-0 victory over rival Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday. Despite lacking the overwhelming attacking firepower of their 2024-2025 title run, Barcelona capitalized on Madrid's repeated stumbles.
Yamal's MVP Season
Despite missing the final games of the season with a muscle injury, Yamal leads Barcelona in both goals and assists for the first time. He scored 16 league goals (jointly with Ferran Torres) and added a competition-leading 11 assists.
The teenage sensation also leads the西班牙足球甲级联赛 in dribbles with 133. Beyond the statistics, his creativity and infectious competitive attitude transformed Barcelona's attack.
Midfield Dominance
Barcelona's midfield again proved superior, leading the 20-team division in both scoring (91 goals) and defense (31 conceded). Fermín López emerged as a key player with 13 goals and nine assists, despite interest from Chelsea in last summer's transfer window.
Flick managed a spate of muscle injuries that sidelined Yamal, Raphinha, Jules Koundé, and Frenkie de Jong at various points. The arrival of goalkeeper Joan García strengthened the back line, while returning to partially refurbished Camp Nou provided a significant boost.
Collective Attack Effort
With Robert Lewandowski (age 37) losing his first-choice status, Barcelona's attack became a more collaborative effort. Ferran Torres used his mobility to link effectively with Yamal, scoring 16 league goals—three more than Lewandowski.
Marcus Rashford contributed eight goals, including the opener against Real Madrid, adapting well during his loan from Manchester United. Reports indicate Barcelona seeks another striker this summer, potentially affecting both Lewandowski and Rashford's futures.