Featured Image Credit: Barcelona
Topics: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, La Liga, Xavi
Josh Lawless
Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal has made history in being called up to the first-team squad for the clash with Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
The La Liga leaders host Diego Simeone's side in-form at the Nou Camp on Sunday and there's a new face in the ranks.
Barcelona are one of the most prolific producers of young talent and one of their brightest stars is Yamal, aged just 15 years and 283 days.
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A skilful winger with a lovely left foot, Yamal is a Spain youth international and is already playing ahead of his age category for the Juvenil A, Barca's Under 19 side.
He's trained with the first-team already earlier this season and it's got even better for the wonderkid as he is in the squad for the big game with Atleti.
Barcelona have announced his involvement and he will wear the No.41 shirt. If he takes to the pitch, Yamal will become the youngest player ever to play for the club in La Liga.
The previous record was set over 100 years ago and belongs to Armand Martinez Sagi, who played against Sporting Gijon aged 15 years,11 months and five days on April 2, 1922.
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Yamal, born in 2007, is yet to sign a first professional contract with Barca but once he turns 16 in July, will be able to do so.
Having been with Barca since he was seven, Yamal is represented by former Barca and Espanyol midfielder Ivan de la Pena, who is also the agent for Gavi and Eric Garcia.
According to Ferran Martinez of Mundo Deportivo, Xavi is "in love" - in a football sense - with Yamal and he and the coaching staff want to "pamper" him.
And this week the Barcelona boss showered Yamal with praise ahead of a potential debut.
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"He has personality, talent, the final pass, on-on-one, he's strong, he's got a great attitude and he's had wonderful training sessions this week," Xavi said.
"He can mark an era in the club's history. Without fear, we'll put him in the squad. I have spoken to him and he is grateful and happy. If he is able to participate, I'm sure he will help us."
Barcelona have also been boosted by the returns of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong in midfield.