When Lamine Yamal of Spain was selected in the starting lineup for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final in Berlin, Germany against England, he broke yet another record.
He made history by being the youngest player to appear in a men’s World Cup, European Championship, or Copa América final at the age of 17 years and one day.
With three assists, the most of any player at the European Championship, and a crucial goal against France in the semifinals, the Barcelona winger had already made an impression. He became the youngest player to score in a major men’s tournament semifinal with that strike.
In this tournament, Yamal started every game for Spain; in the final, La Roja defeated England 2-1. Coming from Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy, he was one of the most notable examples of Spain’s foundation in young development, helping Nico Williams score the game’s opening goal.
After claiming his first European Championship in his brief career, Yamal remarked, “This is the best (birthday) present I could have; it’s a dream.”
On September 1, 2023, at the age of 16 years and 50 days, coach Luis de la Fuente selected Lamine for his first senior international call-up for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers against Georgia and Cyprus. Seven days later, Lamine made his senior debut against the former foe, scoring in the 74th minute in a 7-1 triumph.
