Lamine Yamal: Barcelona Wonderkid Named Best U 23 Winger, Beats Saka, Martinelli

• Lamine Yamal is enjoying a great year
• The Barcelona wonderkid has been ranked as the best Under-23 winger in Europe's big five leagues
• The 16-year-old has broken several records for both club and country

Lamine Yamal has been getting rave reviews this season for his performances for Barcelona. The 16-year-old burst onto the scene earlier this year and has been breaking records for fun.

He has been ranked as the best Under-23 winger in Europe's top five leagues, ahead of established stars like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

According to data by CIES Football Observatory, the Barcelona youngster ranks top ahead of the two Arsenal players with a 56% success rate in his dribbles. He attempts 6.0 dribbles per 90 minutes.

The rankings include players who have played at least 450 domestic minutes this season.

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Martinelli was second with a 65% success rate but attempted 4.9 dribbles per 90 minutes. Saka was 7th with a 64% success rate. The Gunners star averages 4.4 dribbles per 90 minutes.

Other players in the top five are Burnley's Luca Koleosho, Napoli's Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Girona's Savio Moreira.

Record-breaking year for Yamal

It has been quite a year for Yamal. He has broken several records since he made his debut for the Spanish giants in April. At 15 years and 290 days, he became Barcelona's youngest-ever player when he came on as a substitute against Real Betis.

A few months later, in September, he became Spain's youngest player and goalscorer at 16 years and 57 days. He beat the record of his Barcelona teammate Gavi, who achieved that feat at 17 years and 62 days.

He has featured in 14 Barcelona games this season, scored once, and assisted three times, per Transfermarkt.

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Lamine signs new Barcelona deal

Sports Brief has also reported on Yamal signing a new deal with Barcelona, with his impressive performances earning him a new deal including a staggering €1 billion release clause.

This new contract will keep the Spanish youngster with the Catalans until 2026, demonstrating the commitment of the club to his long-term development under coach Xavi Hernandez.

The 16-year-old wonderkid has already made a significant impact this season. He has featured in every Barcelona game this season, garnering many plaudits.