La Masia dominance: Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí achieve historic feat

Playing more than 500 minutes in any of the top five European leagues at the age of 17 is a marvelous and commendable achievement in itself. There are only two players who have achieved such a feat this season and coincidentally they play for the same club. 

FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí both have played for 500+ minutes for the Blaugranas in LaLiga 2024-25. Given their age, this is a historic milestone that marks the advent of a new era. The La Masian graduates are now the most marketable faces of FC Barcelona's football academy, La Masia. 

1. Lamine Yamal | 724 minutes

Lamine Yamal has been instrumental and one of the key players for FC Barcelona since last season. After winning the EURO 2024 with Spain, the 17-year-old winger featured for FC Barcelona in the LaLiga and UEFA Champions League and continued his formidable performance on the pitch. 

Lamine earned coach Hansi Flick's trust with his mind-blowing performance and consistency that earned him 8 starts in 9 LaLiga games for Barcelona this season. He also paid off the coach's trust as he has already scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists for his teammates. 

Lamine Yamal has played for 724 minutes in the LaLiga 2024-25 so far, which makes him the only 17-year-old footballer to have 700+ minutes of game-time in the top-five leagues in Europe this season. Lamine's outstanding performance earned him the LaLiga Player of the Month award for September 2024 as well. 

Read Also | La Masia graduates currently playing for FC Barcelona

2. Pau Cubarsí | 665 minutes

Pau Cubarsí has been a regular starter for FC Barcelona this season with 8 starting eleven appearances earned in 9 LaLiga matches this season so far. This 17-year-old defender has played for 665 minutes in the LaLiga this season so far. 

Cubarsí registered a total of 22 clearances so far this season with 5 tackles and 3 interceptions. He won 21 ground duels out of 45 with a success rate of 49%

Cubarsí also has a pass completion rate of 92.91%, having completed 603 passes out of 649 attempted. His offensive attributes are also good with 1 assist, 2 big-chance creations, and 4 key passes so far by his name this season. 

Read Also | Top Five youngest scorers in UEFA Euro history