€40m La Liga star goes toe-to-toe with Lamine Yamal in assists metric

FC Barcelona have a superstar (in the making) in Lamine Yamal. While one could argue that he’s already a star in his own right, it might be wiser to err on the side of caution, given that the Spaniard is still just 17 years old.

What Lamine has been doing this season in La Liga and the Champions League is not normal. He has four goals and five assists in eight games in the league so far this season as Barcelona continue to be top of the table despite the loss to Osasuna last weekend.

However, as per SPORT, Yamal has faced stiff competition from Villarreal star Alex Baena who is going toe-to-toe with him in the assists metric in La Liga. Both players have provided five assists each so far this season, although the 23-year-old has done so in one lesser game.

Both players were part of the Spain squad that won the European Championship in the summer. Yamal played a starring role, starting every single game except one during the group stage whilst Baena did not get that many opportunities.

Baena is a crucial cog of the Yellow Submarines under Marcelino as he continues to impress with his ability to provide assists at will. In what is a ridiculous stat, the 23-year-old has more assists (12) than Kevin De Bruyne (11), Cole Palmer (11) or Grimaldo (9) in the calendar year 2024.

The €40m-rated Spanish international is also the player with the most assists in La Liga in the last season which shows his consistency. Baena is an excellent player to have for both Villarreal and Spain and he keeps reiterating it, repeatedly.

Lamine Yamal is slowly yet surely emerging as the face of La Liga and his consistency is remarkable. At just 17, he looks unstoppable. He even earned lavish praise from the Young Boys manager ahead of the Champions League clash.

The sky is the limit for Lamine Yamal. He not only assists but is also a constant goal threat and his output has increased significantly this season. It remains to be seen how the 17-year-old performs in the months to come.