Lamine Yamal will turn 19 on July 13, and at this age he can already boast of winning three league titles, among his many achievements. The latest La Liga trophy secured by Barcelona carries his distinct imprint, though his role in previous campaigns was also notable. His influence in the 2022-23 season was largely symbolic—Xavi handed him a debut at age 15 against Betis, a seven-minute cameo that already hinted at his magic and allowed him to share in that title. The following season, Yamal solidified his place in Xavi’s squad. Despite an unfavorable context, the Rocafonda native contributed five goals and seven assists in the league, surpassing 2,000 minutes of playing time. The title slipped away, but with the arrival of Hansi Flick, Yamal’s weight in the team grew steadily, and his presence in the last two regular-season championships has been decisive.
In Flick’s first league-winning season, players like Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha posted better numbers, but Yamal’s nine goals and 15 assists made him a key piece. The left-footed forward’s creativity became a fundamental argument for clinching the league title. His progression continues to soar: in this latest league campaign, despite fewer minutes due to injuries (2,270 vs. 2,864), Yamal increased his goal tally from nine to 16, while his assists dipped slightly from 15 to 12. Beyond the statistics, his ability to unbalance defenses through dribbling and his knack for inventing key passes in the final third keep multiplying his threat.
With Lewandowski’s decline and Raphinha’s injuries, Yamal has emerged as the team’s great offensive beacon. If Yamal has been Flick’s primary attacking weapon, Fermín López has not lagged far behind. The Andalusian, another bet by Xavi, has continued to grow spectacularly under Flick. Whether as an attacking midfielder or winger, the player once loaned to Linares is a rapidly improving asset for Barcelona.
In the attacking zone, the third La Masia graduate to contribute to the league triumph is Dani Olmo. The Terrassa native suffered fewer physical setbacks than in previous seasons. Olmo has not only played as a ’10’ but has also excellently filled the role of Pedri when needed. Fermín, Gavi, and Olmo all came through La Masia.
In Barcelona’s title-winning defense, two names have also shone brightly. Cubarsí had some doubts early in the season but regained his structural role as the campaign progressed—his maturity seems boundless. Eric García’s case has been particularly significant. The Martorell-born player has finally exploded, becoming a pillar for Flick in three vastly different positions: center-back, defensive midfielder, and right-back. For many matchdays, it was Eric plus ten, with the versatile academy product emerging as the team’s most consistent player.
At left-back, Alejandro Balde started strongly but lost steam in favor of João Cancelo, while Jofre Torrents saw few minutes. On the other flank, Xavi Espart earned his debut and showed he can compete. In midfield, debutant Tommy Marqués has established himself as part of the rotation.