€180m Barcelona wonderkid tops global charts in key attacking stat – Analysis | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are not just rebuilding—they’re reawakening. With a core of exceptional young talent and a manager in Hansi Flick who fully embraces youth, the Catalan giants are positioning themselves as a dominant force in European football for years to come.

In his first season at the Catalan club, the German coach has already guided his team to the Spanish Super Cup title, the Copa del Rey title, the Champions League semifinals and currently have a four-point lead over Real Madrid in the race for La Liga.

The team has been built around mostly young players with a few veterans like Robert Lewandowski, Inigo Martinez and Wojciech Szczesny. However, the superstar of the team and the one that grabs the most eyeballs is undoubtedly Lamine Yamal.

Lamine Yamal is topping global charts at just 17

Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

Lamine tops global charts

Lamine broke through into the first team under Xavi Hernandez last season and emerged as a shining light in what was actually a difficult season for the Catalan club. He then went on to star for Spain in the Euros back in the summer where La Roja lifted the title.

This season, he has been part of a fearsome front three alongside Raphinha and Lewandowski/ Ferran Torres and the trio have ensured that Barcelona are the team who have scored the most goals in the league and by some distance.

As per stats from Data MB, the €180m-rated wonderkid currently leads the entire footballing world in successful dribbles this season with 202—a remarkable figure for any player, let alone one who is just 17 years old. This metric doesn’t simply indicate flair or flashiness; it’s a testament to his ability to repeatedly and reliably beat defenders in one-on-one scenarios, often under intense pressure and in high-stakes areas of the pitch.

Lamine Yamal has the most successful dribbles in the world this season

(Source: DataMB)

To provide context, the second-highest total, registered by Josh Murphy, stands at 190, a full 12 dribbles behind. When you consider that Murphy is 30 and playing in the Championship (English football’s second tier), the magnitude of Yamal’s achievement at a top club like Barcelona becomes even more striking.

Yamal has outperformed seasoned professionals like Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku (148), a player known specifically for his dribbling prowess. This isn’t a fluke or a purple patch; it’s the result of his technique, composure, and spatial intelligence that allow him to repeatedly isolate defenders and win micro-battles throughout 90 minutes.

The best is yet to come?

The inference is very simple – the tactical truth is that when Lamine Yamal receives the ball, defenders are immediately under threat. In a world where the game is becoming increasingly calculated, players like the Spaniard are a breath of fresh air.

Alessandro Bastoni, a defender widely regarded as one of the best in the world, recently faced Lamine Yamal and labelled him “a monster”. Praise just doesn’t get bigger, does it? It is a reminder to Barcelona fans to enjoy something very special that they are witnessing.

So, is the best of Lamine Yamal still to come? All signs point to yes. With Hansi Flick guiding his growth, much like Pep Guardiola once did for Lionel Messi, Culers have every reason to be excited. The journey is only beginning.