Lamine Yamal beats Messi, Fernando Torres to LaLiga record

Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal has carved out a new chapter in Spanish football history, becoming the youngest player of the 21st century to score a penalty in LaLiga.

His cool finish against Rayo Vallecano has placed him in a league of legends, surpassing milestones set by Fernando Torres and Lionel Messi.

In the 40th minute of Barcelona’s clash against Rayo Vallecano, Yamal stepped up with remarkable composure to convert his first-ever penalty goal for the club.

At just 18 years and 49 days, he shattered Fernando Torres’ long-standing record of 18 years and 186 days from 2002, making him the youngest penalty scorer in LaLiga in the 21st century.

According to data, Yamal is now the second-youngest penalty scorer in LaLiga history, behind only José Iraragorri, who was 17 years and 344 days when he converted a spot-kick for Athletic Club back in 1930.

What makes the feat even more iconic is that Yamal won the penalty himself, confidently slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to hand Barcelona a halftime lead at Estadio de Vallecas.

Yamal’s achievement also puts him ahead of Barcelona’s Argentine legend Lionel Messi in the LaLiga record books.

Messi’s first penalty goal for Barcelona didn’t come until September 2007 against Sevilla, when he was 20 years and 112 days old, almost two full years older than Yamal is today.

While controversy lingered over the stadium’s non-functional VAR system for the penalty, the moment itself was undeniable proof of Yamal’s talent.

Already hailed as one of Europe’s brightest prospects, this milestone further establishes him as Barcelona’s next great hope for the future.