La Liga preview: Lamine Yamal chasing more records with Barcelona

Young Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal broke records for Spain in the past week and can continue to add to his collection against Real Betis on Saturday.

The winger became Spain's youngest ever player, starter and goalscorer during the international break at 16 years old, and is establishing himself as important for club and country.

Yamal became Barcelona's youngest debutant at 15 years and 290 days old against Betis in April last season.

This season he went on to become La Liga's youngest starter in the 21st century, and also the youngest assist provider in the same time frame.

Yamal has not scored for Barcelona yet but if he does this season, he can overtake Ansu Fati's club record - or the overall record for youngest La Liga scorer, set by Malaga's Fabrice Olinga at 16 years and 98 days old.

The winger was man of the match in Barcelona's 4-3 win at Villarreal in August, and has started the club's last three games, all victories.

Barcelona, third, trail rivals and league leaders Real Madrid by two points after four matches, because of their opening day draw at Getafe.

That was the match which prompted Xavi to turn to Yamal to offer some creative spark, as well as a red card for Raphinha opening up a position on the right flank.

Ousmane Dembele's departure to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer was another factor in giving Yamal an opportunity at such a tender age. 

"He's a mature player despite being 16," said Barca coach Xavi earlier in September.

"He's conscious of what he's going through and he's happy, the management (of the situation) is very good and for now, there are no problems."

Barcelona have been criticised in the past for throwing players into action at young ages and burning them out.

Midfielder Pedri Gonzalez played nearly 70 games for his club and Spain in his first season and has struggled with injuries since, while Ansu Fati, now on loan at Brighton, is another example.

"We have to think about it positively," said Xavi.

"He's in a process of maturation and growth - we hope that doesn't happen."

Barcelona are without Pedri and Ronald Araujo for the clash at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic, where they will reencounter a familiar face - Moroccan winger Ez Abde.

Yamal might also have chosen to play for the north African country but instead chose Spain.

Betis signed Abde on the final day of the summer transfer window and his direct running could pose the champions an immediate threat.

Real Madrid host Real Sociedad on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid visit Valencia on Saturday elsewhere in La Liga.

Player to watch: Take Kubo (Real Sociedad)

The former Real Madrid winger is in fine form and struck twice for the Basque side in an entertaining 5-3 win over Granada in their last game. Back at the Santiago Bernabeu, Japan international Kubo will look to impress and show Madrid what they have lost.

Key stats

20 - Getafe have earned 20 yellow cards already this season after just four games

25 - There are 25 Argentine players in the top flight, the most of any nationality other than Spanish

56 - Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has made more passes into the final third than any other player in La Liga

Fixtures

Friday

• Rayo Vallecano vs. Alaves

Saturday

• Athletic Bilbao vs. Cadiz
• Valencia vs. Atletico Madrid
• Celta Vigo vs. Real Mallorcs
• Barcelona vs. Real Betis

Sunday

• Getafe vs. Osasuna
• Villarreal vs. Almeria
• Sevilla vs. Las Palmas
• Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad

Monday

• Granada vs. Girona