Barcelona’s Youngest Champions League Starter, Lamin Yamal, Mysteriously Exits Mid-Game Against Porto

In an unexpected turn of events, young prodigy Lamin Yamal left the pitch during the crucial UEFA Champions League 2023-2024 encounter between FC Barcelona and Porto. The match, held at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto, saw Yamal make history by becoming the youngest player to start in the competition at a mere age of 16 years and 83 days, shattering a nearly 30-year-old record.

Barcelona's Youngest Champions League Starter, Lamin Yamal-Image Source: Getty Images

However, what stood out more than his record-breaking participation was his abrupt exit in the 71st minute. Even as Barcelona was leading with a sole goal scored by Ferran Torres, Yamal seized the opportunity to head to the restroom and didn’t return to the pitch, leaving the Spanish giants a man short for almost ten minutes. The mystery was cleared up only when Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi Hernandez, made the decision to replace him with Marcos Alonso in the 80th minute.

🚨 Xavi Hernández: “Lamine Yamal was UNWELL. He had an ILLNESS, he had been telling me for a while. I took advantage of a break to tell him to be quick and go to the toilet, but in the end they told me that he wouldn’t be able to get back on the pitch.” pic.twitter.com/MJQhiydCh8

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) October 4, 2023

In the post-match press conference, Xavi shed light on the young player’s peculiar departure, stating, “Lamin Yamal was unwell. He had informed me of his discomfort for a while.” Xavi further explained, “I took advantage of the break to ask him to be quick and visit the restroom. However, I was later informed that he wouldn’t be able to make it back to the field.”

With their victory over Porto, Barcelona secured a leading position in Group 8 of the Champions League 2023-2024 with 6 points, fortifying their command over the group’s top spot.