Lamine Yamal joined Barcelona from CF La Torreta at just seven

Lamine Yamal joined Barcelona at the age of seven, arriving from local club CF La Torreta. His path took an unusual turn well before his first-team debut: former La Masia director Xavi Martín has explained that the young forward did not move into the residential academy until he was 12.

Martín described an uncommon situation among the academy’s young residents. Speaking in 3Cat’s documentary Revolució 304, Martín explained that Yamal was unique among La Masia residents in having parents who also lived in Catalonia. Before deciding to bring him into the residence, the club considered the child’s family circumstances and whether he was ready to live away from home.

Yamal’s daily habits also factored into the decision. Martín cited nutrition, homework, getting to training and going to bed early. He also recalled a level of maturity unusual for a child of Yamal’s age. “He was a mature, responsible and grateful child for his age,” Martín said.

The former director recalled that Yamal had never caused trouble at the academy, while joking that perhaps he had simply been smart enough not to get caught. Martín put the thought this way: “I don’t think we ever found out that he had done anything wrong, although I think he’s a very smart kid and, if he had, we probably wouldn’t have noticed.”

That intelligence also reminds Martín of Yamal’s play on the pitch, where he can produce moments others do not anticipate. He sees a parallel between the forward’s journey from promising academy prospect to a player capable of influencing major matches and another Barcelona great. “It’s something that already happened with Leo Messi,” he said.

Yamal’s development has accelerated since his senior debut in April 2023, and his performances have made him one of Barcelona’s leading attacking figures. Martín’s account, however, traces that story back to its early stages: the club’s commitment to Yamal began while he was still in primary school.