Yamal goes into Sunday’s Clásico at the Spotify Camp Nou in strong form, having missed Barcelona’s last meeting with Real Madrid through injury.
A record-breaker from the start
Yamal became the youngest player ever to appear in a Clásico when he came off the bench against Madrid in October 2023, aged 16.
A year later, he set another record. On 26 October 2024, he scored Barcelona’s third goal in a 4-0 win at the Bernabéu, running onto Raphinha’s pass in the 77th minute. At 17 years and 105 days old, he became the youngest goalscorer in Clásico history.
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The perfect season
That win at the Bernabéu was the start of Yamal’s best run against Madrid. Barcelona beat them in all four Clásicos in 2024-25, and Yamal was involved in the goals in every one.
He scored in the 5-2 win in the Spanish Super Cup final in January 2025 and again in the 4-3 league win in May. In between, he set up two goals in the 3-2 extra-time win in the Copa del Rey final.
Missing the title decider
Last season was more frustrating. Yamal started in Barcelona’s 3-2 win in the Spanish Super Cup final in January, but a hamstring injury suffered against Celta Vigo in April ended his season early. He missed the 2-0 win over Madrid in May that clinched the title.
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His form this season
Yamal, now 19, has eight La Liga goals and six assists, making him the league’s third-highest scorer, and he scored in Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat to PSG.
With Dani Olmo out injured, Barcelona will rely even more on Yamal and Raphinha to create chances against a Madrid side that have won all five of their home league games but only two of four away.
Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images
