- Yamal could have joined Espanyol
- Ended up signing for Barcelona
- Despite forgetting boots at trial
Getty'This kid has to play for Barcelona' - How Catalans beat Espanyol to Lamine Yamal even though wonderkid 'forgot his boots' at trial
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✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.
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✅ Streams all 380 LaLiga fixtures throughout the season in both English and Spanish, including every El Clásico fixture.
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✅ Bundles Spanish top-flight football alongside extensive European and domestic action, including the German Bundesliga, Copa del Rey, and FA Cup.
Monthly from$11.99
Ultimate Sports Bundle
Fubo
✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.
✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.
✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.
Monthly from$32.99
Cable Replacement
DirecTV
✅ Carries local ABC stations and the main ESPN linear networks for marquee, nationally televised LaLiga fixtures without requiring an antenna.
✅ Offers ESPN Deportes either via the dedicated Spanish-first tiers (such as Óptimo Más) or as an add-on, giving you live TV commentary and dedicated studio coverage.
✅ Includes unlimited Cloud DVR storage and allows simultaneous streaming on unlimited compatible devices connected to your home network.
Monthly from$74.99
Total Coverage
ESPN+
✅ Streams all 380 LaLiga fixtures throughout the season in both English and Spanish, including every El Clásico fixture.
✅ Provides full match replays, extended highlights, and Spanish football studio shows (such as LaLiga Confidential and ESPN FC) accessible whenever you want.
✅ Bundles Spanish top-flight football alongside extensive European and domestic action, including the German Bundesliga, Copa del Rey, and FA Cup.
Monthly from$11.99
Ultimate Sports Bundle
Fubo
✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.
✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.
✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.
Monthly from$32.99
J.LEAGUEWHAT ALBERT PUIG SAID
He told Jijantes: "Lamine Yamal had already gone on a trial with Espanyol. They had noticed him before. Then, two key figures at La Torreta appeared. The president, Rafa Rodriguez and Juan Gascon. Also the scout, Isidre Gil, absolute legend. If I’m not mistaken, he also scouted Marc Casado and many others. So, Isidre Gil goes to La Torreta’s playground, and there in the bar he asks if they have any good players. And Gascon answers, 'Look, there’s a little dark-skinned kid who’s really good'. Talking about the guy [Lamine Yamal] Espanyol had scouted. The next day they had a match and they won 6-0. He said, 'Well, this kid has to play for Barça'.
"Then Lamine Yamal came for a trial. A funny detail: Juan Gascon told him a thousand times to not forget anything, but of course, what happens? He forgets his boots. Well, we are talking about a six-year-old kid. And obviously we lent a pair of boots.
"Despite being one or even two years younger than others, he stands out incredibly. And, obviously, since I was there, you can imagine who made the decision. From that moment, we told him to keep coming back, and we formally notified them that we wanted him."
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Yamal could next feature for Barca at home to lowly Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Monday night.
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