Lamine Yamal should have ended his first match in Barcelona with 1 goal and 1 assist. That was on April 29, 2023, the 15-year-old player was brought on in the match against Real Betis. Blaugrana were leading 4-0 at the time and Xavi decided to create an opportunity for La Masia's young talent.
Ninety months have passed, Yamal, at the age of 16, has contributed 4 goals for Barca. According to statistics, he is one of the most effective dribblers in La Liga.
However, Xavi is still reluctant to use the young Spanish star. Instead, Raphinha, Ferran Torres and even Joao Cancelo were given priority in Yamal's favorite positions. And that needs to change. Barca are stagnant in La Liga and could miss their clearest chance of winning a title if they lose to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey.
Xavi needs to bring the best players onto the field to not only aim for the title but also save his own job. And so, it is time for Yamal to prove that he can develop into one of the best players in the world.
As Barca's results and form decline, Yamal's positive impact becomes even more evident. In the match against Betis, Xavi gave Yamal his first starting match in La Liga since November 25 last year. And clearly, the Blaugrana played much better. Yamal created 3 chances, completed 5 dribbles and had an assist.
Yamal has previously come on as a substitute many times and had a positive impact on the team, especially in the final stages of the match when Barca needed a goal. Xavi is the one who understands that the most.
"I would ask Lamine to do more of the same: play with courage, confidence, show his talent and qualities. He's young but he won't feel the weight of the game because he's confident enough to make the difference, even as a teenager," Xavi said last week.
Barca played badly in the defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final and only really improved when Yamal came on. Although Xavi's team still lost in the end, it was not Yamal's fault.
If Robert Lewandowski's performance is declining, Yamal could be the answer. In fact, this young player could be a rare remaining striker of Barcelona in the near future.
The Polish striker has 18 months left on his contract, but could consider an offer from the Saudi Pro League or even the MLS. Meanwhile, Raphinha will be considered for sale for Barca to raise the budget. In addition, the Camp Nou team's purchase of Joao Felix is not very likely.
There is also uncertainty surrounding Xavi's future. Despite winning La Liga last season, the Blaugrana have been in a slump this season. Not all of that is Xavi's fault, especially with financial difficulties. However, he must be directly responsible for the team's poor results on the pitch.
If a top manager is ready and Barca are left empty-handed this season, Xavi could be sacked.
To save his job, Xavi needs to find Yamal. The speed, ingenuity and creativity of this player will make a difference in Xavi's dry attack. Yamal may not be Xavi's only saviour, but he will certainly bring a strong start.
