Barcelona’s young sensation Lamin Yamal has etched his name into the club’s history by surpassing a milestone once held by the legendary Diego Maradona. In a remarkable display during Wednesday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final, Yamal not only scored the opening goal but also brought his tally for the Catalan club to 39 goals—overtaking the Argentine icon’s record of 38 goals scored during his two-year tenure at Camp Nou.
Maradona, who joined Barcelona from Boca Juniors in 1982, spent two seasons with the Spanish giants. During that period, he appeared in 58 matches and netted 38 goals. Following his time in Barcelona, the 1986 World Cup winner moved to Napoli for £6.9 million, where he cemented his legendary status by guiding the Italian club to two Serie A titles, a UEFA Cup, and numerous other trophies, scoring 157 goals across all competitions over seven years.
Yamal’s achievement is particularly notable given the difference in appearances required. While Maradona reached his 38-goal mark in 58 matches, the 20-year-old Spaniard needed 135 appearances to score his 39th goal. Breaking down his record across competitions, Yamal has scored:
| Competition | Matches Played | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 91 | 23 |
| Copa del Rey | 9 | 5 |
| European Competitions* | 29 | 8 |
| Total | 129 | 36 |
*Includes UEFA Champions League and other European tournaments.
On Wednesday, Yamal broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, with Ronald Araújo adding a second goal later in the match. Barcelona ultimately secured a 2–1 victory, becoming the first team to reach the semi-finals of this season’s Copa del Rey.
Following the match, Barcelona President Joan Laporta praised both Yamal and Araújo. “Yamal is a magician. The first goal came from his feet, and it perfectly demonstrates his extraordinary talent,” Laporta said. “I am especially pleased with Ronald Araújo. He scored and played brilliantly from the start. With our captain back, we are reassured. His goal provided the team with much-needed comfort.”
Yamal’s rise has sparked excitement among fans and analysts alike, who see him as a new face of Barcelona’s golden generation. Surpassing Maradona’s early club record is not merely a statistical feat but a signal of his growing influence and potential to shape Barcelona’s future successes.