
How Bayern Nearly Stole Barcelona’s Teenage Jewel
In football, there are moments when the future of a club can pivot on a single decision, a handshake not made, a conversation cut short. For Barcelona, one such moment arrived in 2022, when Bayern Munich thought they were on the verge of prising away a 14-year-old prodigy by the name of Lamine Yamal.
At the time, Yamal was already whispered about in Catalonia as something rare — a left-footed forward with balance, daring, and a maturity that belied his age. Bayern, eager to secure the brightest young talents before their price skyrocketed, believed they had a deal within …