Lamine Yamal netted his first-ever career hat-trick in sublime style against Villarreal on Saturday, but the winger admitted after the match that he had endured a challenging period this season.
Helped by his brilliant performance and a late goal from Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory at Camp Nou in Hansi Flick's 100th game in charge.
It was a win that took them four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga, with Los Blancos not in action until facing Getafe on Monday.
Yamal netted twice in the first half and once after the break to become the youngest player to score their first hat-trick in the Spanish top-flight (18 years and 230 days old), surpassing Gio dos Santos, who scored his maiden treble against Murcia in May 2008 (19y 6d).
He also now leads Barcelona for league goals this season, having taken his tally up to 13 for the campaign.
"People expect me to score 100 goals at 16, but I wasn't feeling well for a while," Yamal admitted to Movistar after the match.
"It was a mix of everything, pubalgia... I wasn't happy, it showed, but for about a week now I've been feeling better. I smile while I play, I'm happy playing. I'm very happy.
"I'm very happy with the team's victory; [Villarreal] were a very good opponent, and I'm happy with the three goals.
"On the second goal, I waited for them to come at me so I could dribble past them, and the finish... well... one of them had to go in.
The man of the hour. pic.twitter.com/WfYNZbs2wo
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 28, 2026
"I told Flick to wait for my goal, the third one, to substitute me, not for the team's third goal. And it was mine at the end."
When asked by a reporter if this was the best he has ever played, the 18-year-old was candid, adding: "My best version? I don't know, you tell me."
Yamal’s treble also marked a historic moment for LaLiga, as he became the first player under the age of 19 to score a hat-trick in the competition in 59 years.
The Spaniard now has 27 goals in 95 matches in the Spanish top-flight, becoming the first player to reach 25 before turning 19 in Europe's top five leagues in the 21st century.
And Flick was thrilled for Yamal, saying: "We needed Lamine Yamal to come back.
"We needed for him to score 3 goals and regain his confidence. It's really important to mention his defensive work as well. He was pressing hard."