MADRID — There is much debate over who should win the Ballon d’Or this year, but if Lamine Yamal’s recent form continues over the season, handing out next year’s award would be simple.
The teenage winger was at his mesmerising best as Barcelona waltzed to a 4-1 win at Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, to make it 10 victories from 10 matches this season across all competitions.
Hansi Flick’s irresistible side have scored 43 goals in that spell, including seven in the last two games, even without talisman Raphinha.
A sensational dribble from Yamal helped create a goal for Anthony Gordon in Istanbul, and the winger’s inviting cross also carved out another for Fermin Lopez.
“I don’t know what to call it, it was an almost-rabona dribble,” Yamal told Movistar.
“It came off well to set up Gordon, that’s the main thing, that it was effective at the end of the day.”
Yamal had a moment of luck when the ball bounced off the defender back to him but showed excellent reflexes and speed to keep it in and find the former Newcastle winger.
The 19-year-old was named player of the match and earned lavish praise from his coach after another performance in which his ability to beat defenders and generate danger proved decisive.
“It’s amazing to have a player like him on this level. He changed the game for us and this was really good,” Barca coach Flick said.
“In the second half he was fantastic, how he dominated the game, the (final ball) … it’s unbelievable what he’s doing,”Flick added according to AFP.
Yamal has eight goals and nine assists in 10 games for Barcelona this season.
However, perhaps the most impressive aspect of Barcelona’s start has been that their attacking brilliance has not depended on any one player.
Raphinha’s absence has given former Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus an opportunity to step in successfully, while Karim Adeyemi has added goals and electric speed when needed to replace Gordon.
In midfield, Flick can call on Gavi and Dani Olmo among others without his side losing its identity, while Dutchman Frenkie de Jong is soon to return from injury.
That depth will become increasingly important as Barcelona enter the most demanding part of their autumn.
Critics have pointed out that they have yet to face one of Europe’s elite sides, with Galatasaray away arguably their toughest assignment so far.
That argument will be tested this weekend as Barcelona face Manuel Pellegrini’s high-flying Real Betis at La Cartuja.
The Andalusian side are third in LaLiga, five points behind Barca and one ahead of Real Madrid.
Creative playmaker Isco and former Barca winger Ez Abde are among Betis’s main weapons and Barcelona’s defence has shown enough vulnerability to suggest they could be punished if they switch off.
After Betis come kings of Europe Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and then the Clasico on October 25 against Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in LaLiga.
Those heavyweight tests will be a good barometer for Barca’s trophy prospects this season and a chance for Yamal and Co to show they can sustain their remarkable scoring form against the very best.
After winning the World Cup with Spain, there is a good chance Yamal is crowned the world’s best player on October 26, but right now he is playing at a far higher level than during Spain’s success this summer.
