Yamal hits 50 goals quicker than Messi, becomes youngest to do so in Europe's top leagues

Lamine Yamal rewrote the record books once again on Monday, August 31, becoming the youngest player in the history of Europe's top five leagues to reach 50 club goals as Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 at Camp Nou to maintain their perfect start to the season.

The 19 year old reached the milestone two years younger than Lionel Messi, who had managed the same feat for Barcelona, striking a brilliant curling finish into the top corner to bring up his half century.

Barcelona's official account confirmed the achievement, noting Yamal had also surpassed both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to become the youngest scorer of 50 goals across any of Europe's major leagues.

According to Opta, no player from any of the continent's top five leagues had reached the milestone at a younger age since at least the 2014-15 season.

Statistician MisterChip went further, calling it an outright record across the entire history of Spanish professional football, with Yamal overtaking Raul, who had previously reached his own half century with Real Madrid at the age of 19.

Barcelona fell behind early when Jules Kounde was beaten for pace by Alvaro Garcia, whose cross was finished clinically by Sergio Camello to put Rayo ahead against the run of play.

Raphinha levelled shortly afterwards with a composed finish, before Yamal struck his landmark 21st minute goal, capitalising on a Rayo defensive mix up before whipping the ball into the near top corner to put Barcelona back in front.

Yamal was not finished there. After Florian Lejeune's own goal and further contributions from teammates extended the lead, the teenager added a second of his own in stoppage time, curling home a lethal finish from the edge of the area after being set up by substitute Karim Adeyemi, capping a night that firmly stamped his name into the history books.