Lamine Yamal makes Barcelona history with call-up to squad for Atletico Madrid clash
By Tom Gott
Barcelona manager Xavi has included 15-year-old Lamine Yamal in his matchday squad to face Atletico Madrid on Sunday, becoming the youngest player in the club's history to get the nod.
Yamal has long been touted as one of the top prospects in La Masia and has regularly trained with Xavi's first team this season, and he is now on the cusp of his senior debut.
Yamal, who will turn 16 in July, has been included in Xavi's squad for Sunday and would break the record for the youngest player to ever appear for the first team if he is handed the opportunity.
That record is currently held by Armand Martinez Sagi who, in April 1922, made his debut aged 15 years, 11 months and five days. In the modern era, Ansu Fati leads the way with his first appearance aged 16 years, nine months and 25 days.
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Yamal has been a star of Barcelona's Juvenil A side this season, recently making his mark with two goals in a recent 4-3 victory over Juventus, and many fans have been eagerly awaiting his promotion to the senior side.
One key subplot is the uncertainty over Yamal's future. Given his age, he is not yet eligible to sign a professional contract and clubs from across Europe have been tipped to try and lure the teenager away from La Masia.
Talks over a senior contract have been ongoing for months and Xavi has sought to prove his faith in Yamal by giving him the chance to turn out for the first team against Atletico.
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