Bamboo shoots surpass old bamboo, Lamine Yamal breaks Messi's historic record

Lamine Yamal scored a historic hat-trick in Barcelona's 4-1 victory over Villarreal, breaking Lionel Messi's record as the youngest La Liga scorer and cementing his status as the new top star at Camp Nou.

Barcelona has just witnessed a new historic milestone as Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi are once again placed side by side in the club's golden annals. But this time, it is the young Spanish talent who steps forward.

In the early hours of February 28, 2026, during the 4-1 victory over Villarreal at Camp Nou, Yamal scored his first professional hat-trick. Not only did it secure three crucial points, helping Barcelona build a 4-point lead at the top of La Liga, but that performance also carried the symbolic weight of a passing of the torch.

The opening goal came in the 28th minute, following a midfield error by Villarreal. Fermin Lopez delivered a precise through ball for Yamal to sprint onto, control neatly, and curl a left-footed shot into the far corner. Less than 10 minutes later, Camp Nou erupted again. Receiving the ball on the right wing, Yamal glided past two defenders with smooth moves before unleashing a thunderous strike into the top corner, doubling the lead.

Villarreal sparked hope with a goal from Pape Gueye, narrowing the score to 1-2. However, the 18-year-old star was not finished. In the 69th minute, Pedri played an exquisite through ball for Yamal to break free, and he calmly chipped the ball over the goalkeeper, completing his hat-trick to the admiration of the entire stadium.

Record Shattered

At 18 years, 7 months, and 15 days old, Yamal became the youngest player in Barcelona's history to score a La Liga hat-trick, breaking Messi's previous record. The Argentine superstar had set this milestone at 19 years, 8 months, and 16 days old during a 3-3 draw with Real Madrid in 2007.

For nearly two decades, Messi's achievement was considered the benchmark of the modern La Liga era at Barcelona. Now, Yamal has not only surpassed his idol but also become the youngest player of the 21st century to score a hat-trick in La Liga, underscoring the exceptional magnitude of this feat.

A Star Reaching New Heights

The hat-trick is not an isolated burst of brilliance. It is a new chapter in a season witnessing Yamal's powerful ascent. Before turning 19, he had already contributed to 101 goals, comprising 49 goals and 52 assists. This season alone, Yamal has scored 18 goals and provided 14 assists, rising to the top of Barcelona's scoring charts.

Among the top five European domestic leagues this century, no player has reached 25 league goals before the age of 19 faster than Yamal. After three consecutive goalless matches, the hat-trick arrived at the perfect moment and with full force. Although Barcelona missed Frenkie de Jong in midfield, Yamal's performance ensured the Catalan side had no regrets.