Barcelona kicked off their La Liga title defense in style on Saturday evening, cruising past RCD Mallorca with a 3–0 win at Son Moix.
As expected, all eyes were on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, and omo, the 18-year-old did not disappoint. He created the opener, then sealed the victory himself with a stunning left-footed finish.
But here’s the gist that shocked everyone
It wasn’t just his attacking brilliance that grabbed headlines. According to Mundo Deportivo, Yamal also topped the ball recovery charts for Barça in the match.
Yes, you read that right — Barcelona’s new number 10, known for dazzling dribbles and goals, also put in the dirty work defensively. With seven steals, he surpassed Pedri (6), who last season was the league’s top outfield player for ball recoveries.
Omo this one shock me o! Nobody go expect say the youngest star on the pitch would also do the most defensive work. But it speaks volumes about Yamal’s hunger, discipline, and commitment under new boss Hansi Flick.
This stat shows exactly why Flick trusted him so heavily in Barça’s opener. For a teenager to dominate both in attack and defense? That’s superstar mentality.
Fans online have been buzzing, praising Yamal not only for his magic on the ball but also for his willingness to track back and fight for the team. If this level of effort continues, the youngster might just become Barça’s most complete player sooner than anyone imagined.
With his new number 10 shirt already carrying weight, Yamal seems ready to step into the role of both entertainer and workhorse — a rare combo in modern football.
