Barcelona’s La Liga title defence has already provided plenty of talking points in its early weeks, with rivals Real Madrid also making a perfect start to the season.
Hansi Flick, fresh in the Camp Nou dugout, has been praised for breathing intensity into his side’s play, as seen in their last two wins against Mallorca and Levante.
The Blaugrana’s attacking depth has also caught the eye.
At the same time, the focus has not only been on results, but on how Barcelona are balancing youth and experience in order to sustain their challenge across La Liga and the Champions League.
And it is one of those academy-bred gems who has stolen the headlines this week, with Lamine Yamal producing a feat no other player across Europe’s elite divisions has managed.
The teenager, who only recently turned 18, has wasted little time in making his mark on the new campaign.
Over the weekend, Barca travelled to Valencia to take on Levante, and found themselves stunned by a two-goal deficit inside the first half hour.
Rather than panic, Flick’s men rallied impressively, showcasing the kind of resilience supporters are desperate to see throughout the season.
Lamine Yamal played a starring role in the fightback, tormenting Levante’s right-hand side, providing a vital assist and relentlessly driving his team forward whenever in possession.
Barcelona ultimately overturned the scoreline to secure a dramatic 3-2 win, ensuring they kept pace with their title rivals at the top of the table.
But beyond the three points, Yamal’s individual display has earned him a place in the record books.
According to leading statisticians Squawka via X, the winger has become the first player in Europe’s top five leagues this season to complete 15 take-ons.
That level of directness at such a young age has underlined why many consider him one of the brightest prospects in world football, and why Flick is entrusting him with so much responsibility despite his age.
For Barcelona, it is another reminder that their famed academy continues to produce generational talents capable of deciding matches at the very highest level.
Lamine Yamal is the first player to complete 15 take-ons in Europe’s top five leagues in 2025/26.
◉ 6 vs. Mallorca
◉ 9 vs. LevanteSince the start of last season, he’s completed at least 67 more take-ons than any other player in ET5L and 83 more than any other player in… pic.twitter.com/QDufW00cZw
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 25, 2025
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