Janice R. Andrews
Lamine Yamal has achieved a remarkable milestone, scoring his 20th career goal for Barcelona and Spain. As one of football’s brightest young talents, comparisons with Lionel Messi, Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer, are inevitable. But how do their numbers compare when measuring the time and matches required to reach this landmark?
Yamal’s Landmark Goal in the Champions League
The 16-year-old prodigy scored his 20th goal during Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League clash against Atalanta. Despite the match ending in a 2-2 draw, the Spanish side had already secured a spot in the Round of 16. Frustrated with being substituted in added time, Yamal later expressed his desire for more minutes, saying, “We all want to play. Of course, I want to be on the field as much as possible, but so do my teammates.”
With his current contract running until 2026 and a massive €1 billion release clause, Yamal is set to play a key role in Barcelona’s future. His rise mirrors that of Messi, who also emerged from La Masia at a young age.
Comparing Their Routes to 20 Goals
Messi netted his first professional goal at 17, while Yamal did so at just 16 years and 87 days, making him La Liga’s youngest-ever goalscorer. While Messi’s 672-goal record for Barcelona seems nearly unreachable, Yamal’s early performances suggest he may leave his own lasting legacy.
From a statistical perspective, Messi reached 20 career goals in significantly fewer minutes. However, Yamal has provided a higher number of assists at this stage, improving his overall goal involvement rate. Here’s a breakdown of their numbers:
Lamine Yamal’s Stats at 20 Goals:
- Games Played: 96 (6,279 minutes)
- Time Taken: 1 year, 9 months, 1 day
- Goals: 20
- Penalties: 0
- Assists: 27
- Minutes per Goal: 314
- Minutes per Non-Penalty Goal: 314
- Minutes per Goal or Assist: 134
Lionel Messi’s Stats at 20 Goals:
- Games Played: 67 (3,905 minutes)
- Time Taken: 2 years, 6 months, 2 days
- Goals: 20
- Penalties: 0
- Assists: 6
- Minutes per Goal: 195
- Minutes per Non-Penalty Goal: 195
- Minutes per Goal or Assist: 150
Key Takeaways
Messi reached 20 goals in 2,314 fewer minutes than Yamal, demonstrating a superior minutes-per-goal ratio. However, Yamal has been significantly more involved in play, making 29 additional appearances and delivering far more assists. His minutes per goal or assist ratio (134) is superior to Messi’s (150), highlighting his playmaking prowess.
Another crucial distinction is the speed at which Yamal achieved this milestone in terms of time. Despite playing more matches, he accomplished the feat nine months earlier than Messi, showcasing his consistent impact at the highest level.
What Lies Ahead
Having played a crucial role in Spain’s 2024 European Championship win and Barcelona’s title ambitions, Yamal’s future looks exceptionally bright. While surpassing Messi’s legendary achievements is a monumental challenge, his early statistics suggest he has the potential to be a generational talent.
With his rapid progress, versatility, and ability to create and score, Yamal is redefining expectations for young footballers. Whether he surpasses Messi remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Lamine Yamal is already carving out his own legacy.
