Lamine Yamal Shatters La Liga Record That Even Messi and Ronaldo Never Achieved

Lamine Yamal has made La Liga history by becoming the first player ever to win the Player of the Month award three times in a single season—a milestone that even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo never achieved.

Despite being sidelined with a season-ending injury, Yamal claimed the April honor to add to his previous wins in November and December of 2025. The young star's final contribution of the campaign was netting his 16th league goal of the season—more than any of his Barcelona teammates—while he also leads the division with 11 assists. Given his dominance of the monthly accolades and Barcelona's imminent title clinch, Yamal is widely expected to take home the season-long award when it is presented in May.

In the fifteen years since La Liga began handing out monthly player recognition, no individual has come close to matching the level of dominance Yamal has shown.

Most La Liga Player of the Month Awards in a Single Season

Notably, this is an accolade that curiously eluded Ronaldo throughout his time in Spain. Real Madrid's all-time top scorer was named Player of the Month on just three occasions (November 2013, May 2015, and May 2017)—though it is worth noting that the award was only officially introduced by the Spanish top flight in 2013, meaning it missed four years of Ronaldo's peak performances in Madrid.

In terms of career total wins, Yamal has already moved ahead of Ronaldo, having also claimed the award in September 2024 alongside his three victories this season. That said, the teenager still has some ground to cover before he can match the all-time tallies of Messi and Antoine Griezmann.

All Time La Liga Player of the Month Award Winners

Yamal's Record Could Stand for Less Than One Month

Kylian Mbappé's impressive form at the start of the season earned him consecutive Player of the Month awards in September and October. If the Real Madrid striker delivers a standout performance in May, he could equal Yamal's record of three monthly wins in a single campaign.

There will be plenty of chances for Mbappé to make his mark next month, though the likelihood of him doing so appears slim.

The French attacker has suffered a clear drop in form since pushing through a troublesome knee injury during the festive period. Mbappé has managed just one La Liga goal since February 8, despite attempting 23 shots across six matches in that stretch. His finishing has looked off, and his chemistry with his Real Madrid teammates has rightly come under scrutiny.

Mbappé could quiet his critics with an influential showing in May's Clásico—even if Barcelona have already secured the title by that point—with five remaining league fixtures for the 27-year-old to make an impact before the season concludes.

Yet regardless of any late resurgence, this La Liga season has undeniably been defined by Yamal.