Lamin Yamal’s Late-Blooming Masterclass: 2025’s Endgame Hero and Madrid’s Shadow Parade
1 January 2026
2025 in Focus
Lamin Yamal, Barcelona's breakout winger, topped the list of standout performers across Europe's five major leagues in the last six matches of 2025, according to WhoScored's global ratings. The teenager averaged 8.88 points, underscoring his growing influence at the Catalan club. The English star Harry Kane finished second with 8.26, ahead of Bayern's Michael Olise on 8.04. Ivory Coast forward Yan Diomandi of Leipzig sits fourth on 8.01, followed by Ryan Cherki, Manchester City forward, on 7.95.
2025 XI
SofaScore's ideal XI for 2025 across the five major European leagues places Mbappe up front with a 7.98 rating. The midfield features Rafinha (Barcelona, 7.52), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, 7.73), Michael Olise (7.92), and Lamin Yamal (7.81). In defensive midfield, Joshua Kimmich (7.81) pairs with Pedri (7.73).
Defence includes Nico Schlotterbeck (7.36), Virgil van Dijk (7.32), and Antón (7.28), with goalkeeper Juan Garcia (7.48) completing the line. The XI shows a notable Barca presence, with four players, while Bayern and Dortmund contribute two each, and Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Liverpool each have one representative.
