Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to represent Barcelona in La Liga when he came off the bench in Saturday’s win at home to Real Betis.

The 15-year-old, who was born in July 2007, breaks the modern La Liga record previously held by Ansu Fati, who was also on the pitch when Yamal emerged from the bench.

The youngest player to run out for Barcelona prior to Fati was Armand Martinez Sagi, who turned out for La Blaugrana shortly prior to his 16th birthday all the way back in April 1922.

Yamal finally made his senior debut after featuring in recent matchday squads, with manager Xavi explaining his early promotion to the first-team setup.

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„All those who are there can participate,“ Xavi said. „[Yamal] is very talented, despite being 15 years old. He has personality, talent, one-on-ones, he is strong… He is a player who can define an important era in the club.

„He is happy, grateful and happy to be on the list. If it happens that he has to play, I’m sure he can help us.“

As Yamal is still on a youth contract, it is possible that he could be poached on the cheap by sides across Europe, though Xavi has also insisted that throwing him into the senior team is not a tactic to convince him to stay.

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