Lamine Yamal is Barcelona’s leader right now – and it’s a joy to watch

Lamine Yamal was the last to leave the pitch, but nobody was really in any rush.

Several of the Barcelona and Real Sociedad players fell into deep conversation on the final whistle, it was a friendly and relaxed atmosphere despite the one-sided result.

Yamal was talking to Lewandowski, both smiling as they recalled “a couple of comedy moments” that happened during the game, as the young forward later explained to Movistar+.

The mood was radically different to just over a week ago at Girona. Barca’s players had left Montilivi crestfallen, although they were barely even on the pitch in any meaningful way by the end of their 4-2 bruising, and the margin of defeat probably should have been greater.

Monday night was a total contrast. A 2-0 home victory gave way to a feeling that the waters in this end of season period might just become a little calmer and quieter, if that is really possible at Barcelona.

Real Sociedad were in theory the most challenging opponents left in Barca’s end-of-season run-in, as they try to finish in second place behind new champions Real Madrid. Next up is Almeria away on Thursday, then Rayo Vallecano at home on Sunday and a trip to Sevilla on the final day (May 25).

The importance of finishing second is not just about pride. It also brings qualification for the Supercopa de Espana, which would be worth about €6million to the club’s stricken finances.

So even if it wasn’t a match that will go down as one of Barca’s greatest of all time, this was a very welcome three points that helped to put a patch over the injury sustained at Montilivi. And because Girona drew 2-2 at Deportivo Alaves on Friday, Barca are now back up to second, one point clear of Michel’s side — who play the first of their final three games this evening at home to Villarreal.

Barca competed well. They controlled possession for long periods, they created many chances, and once again Yamal showed why he, of all their players, should be considered the closest thing they have to a leader right now.

Earlier in the season, Gavi was fulfilling that role — before he got injured. Similar has been expected of Robert Lewandowski, or Frenkie de Jong, but neither have truly stepped up in that regard; to throw the team on their back in difficult games, to show anger or encourage fans and team-mates when things aren’t going well.

Yamal has been managed carefully over the campaign — due to Barca’s recent experience and the injuries suffered by Ansu Fati and Pedri — but matches like last night underlined exactly how Xavi has been left with no alternative. He has had to play. His talent cannot be contained.

Again he ditched opponents with endless dribbles, again his movement and one-touch connections stood out. His first-time finish for Barca’s opener was struck supremely, the perfect low finish to a flowing Barca move started by Lewandowski’s clever pass. Credit also has to go to Ilkay Gundogan for finding his young team-mate, but as soon as Yamal’s shot rippled the net everyone went looking for him to celebrate.

It was his fifth goal in La Liga in 34 appearances this season, his seventh in 47 appearances in all competitions. It meant he became the first player in La Liga history to score five goals before the age of 17 — his birthday is on July 13, the day before the Euro 2024 final.

Already, in just over a year since his debut aged 15, so much has changed. Yamal truly looks like a player who could mark an era. On Montjuic, more and more people bear his name on their shirts.

“Lamine is the chosen one,” Xavi said in his post-match press conference.

“His decision making is exceptional. He doesn’t do everything perfectly of course, he’s 16 years old… but that he’s making the difference at that age tells you what kind of player he is and what he can be. His growth in a year is incredible.”

It really is becoming increasingly easy to forget his age when watching him in action, the way his figure always seems to be cast as the game’s most influential.

And the same goes for how he is carrying himself more generally. His pose as he walks towards the tunnel, his manner and conduct in post-match interviews — each time he appears a little more confident, a little more complete.

After Monday’s game, once he and Lewandowski had finished their joyful debriefing, he walked over to the cameras waiting for him on the sidelines, triumphant as the crowd cheered his name, ready to pick up another player of the match award.

Then came the first question. He smiled, you saw his braces and that unmistakable glint that reminds you: his career has only just begun.

(Top photo: Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)