Lamine Yamal set to face competition from Barcelona new signing for penalty duties

Lamine Yamal set to face competition from Barcelona new signing for penalty duties Lamine Yamal took over from Robert Lewandowski as Barcelona’s primary penalty specialist last season, and the youngster had good success in the role. Over the course of the season, the Spanish winger stepped up to the penalty spot seven times and scored six out of them. The one occasion when he missed came against Girona where he narrowly failed to score. Surprisingly, his last-ever involvement in Barcelona’s season and La Liga campaign before he was injured was a penalty against Celta Vigo. Over the course of the season, he racked up two penalties more than Raphinha and four more than Lewandowski – both of whom have great records from the penalty spot and are specialists in their own right. A big competitor incoming Barcelona’s designated penalty taker. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images for Laureus) As reported by MARCA in a recent update, Barcelona’s new signing Anthony Gordon arrives with a strong record from the penalty spot over the years and could well challenge Yamal’s position as the first-choice penalty specialist. The former Newcastle United star, after all, is a recognised expert at scoring from the 12-yard mark and had stunning numbers last season for his club. In just the 2025-26 campaign, the English international stepped up to the penalty spot nine times for Newcastle United. Three of his penalties came in the Premier League, five in the UEFA Champions League, and one in the FA Cup. Of them, the player converted every single one and thus finished the season with a 100% record for club from the penalty spot. In fact, Gordon stepped up to take the penalty for England in the team’s recent game against Costa Rica and scored in emphatic style, making it ten out of ten for club and country. Gordon has an excellent penalty record. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) A great competition on the left Gordon arrives as a great signing for Hansi Flick’s project as he possesses exactly what the manager demands of all his players – grit, effort, and a strong work-rate. His attacking numbers, pace, and skill will all come in handy down Barcelona’s left flank next season, but he will compete with Raphinha who is an undisputed starter at the club as matters stand. Having two players who give their all on the field, Flick will have good depth on the left wing, which is crucial after a season where Raphinha spent a solid chunk injured. The battle between Gordon and Raphinha, needless to say, will be fascinating to follow.