Lee Kang-in's talent? 'Buyout alone 1.4 trillion' High Schooling Messi's stormy growth, becoming Barcelona's ace at age 17 → Leading the victory with multiple goals against Girona

Sep 16, 2024

Ramin Yamal, Barcelona's proud top prospect, even played the ace role, leading the team to victory.

Barcelona won 4-1 in the fifth round of Spain's La Liga in 2024-2025 season against Girona at Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain on the 15th (Korea time).

In Barcelona, Yamal, Hafinha and Dani Olmo joined the frontline Robert Lewandowski for the second term, while Pedri and Marc Casado worked together for the third term. The defense was formed by Alejandro Valde, Inigo Martinez, Paukavarsi and Jules Kounde, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen defended the goal.

Barcelona led the game with Yamal's strong performance from the first half. Yamal, who took the ball by pressing the opponent's defense in the 30th minute of the first half, immediately scored the first goal with a calm shot. Later, in the 38th minute of the first half, when a free kick flowed against his teammate, he stabbed the corner of the goal with a low and fast shot in front of the penalty box. After Yamal's multi-goal, Barcelona even scored Dani Olmo and Pedri, and won without difficulty despite losing points at the end of the second half.

Barcelona maintained its lead by winning five consecutive league games with the victory. Yamal also started all five league games and contributed to the victory by scoring three goals and four assists. For Barcelona, the 17-year-old prospect has become the team's ace this season, raising expectations for the future.

Yamal said in an interview after his win that he would like to win every game if possible. I want to win the league. I'm very happy about the victory. It's hard to get back in the league after the A match break, but I played very well. I'm looking forward to the match against AS Monaco, but I want to win the European Champions League because it's special," he said.

Born in 2007, striker Yamal is considered Barcelona's new hope. Yamal has swept various youngest records and has shown tremendous performance in Barcelona's first team even at a young age. Yamal, who appeared in the first team under coach Xavi Hernandez, is also using Yamal on important stages, with Han Ji-flick appointing him.

Yamal's excellent dribbling ability, speed, sensible finish and sharp kick are already loved by the Spanish national team. Yamal first joined Spain's senior national team in September 2023 and also played a leading role in winning Euro 2024.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) showed interest in Yamal's performance this summer. Barcelona fans were also nervous because PSG had the experience of bringing Neymar, who was the best player in Barcelona at the time, by paying a whopping 220 million euros (about 320 billion won) in 2017.

However, Barcelona had no intention of selling Yamal to PSG at the time. Some French media outlets said Yamal's agent Mendes told PSG that Yamal could not be transferred. No offer will change Barcelona's decision unless PSG offers 1 billion euros (about 1.4 trillion won) to meet the buyout. Already, Chairman Juan Laporta said Barcelona had rejected PSG's offer of 200 million euros for Yamal.

PSG general manager Luis Campos said of Yamal, `Of course I like Yamal, but we have fantastic players with tremendous qualities such as Usman Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Lee Kang-in, Marco Asensio and Gonzalo HamusHe also compared Yamal's talent with Lee Kang-in, a promising PSG player, and several players. However, considering Yamal's age and growth, it is unlikely to be easily compared to PSG's proud players.

digh1229@sportschosun.com