5 things to know about Spanish football sensation Lamine Yamal

Teenager Lamine Yamal has been lauded as “a genius” by Spain coach Luis de la Fuente after the 16-year-old stepped up to deliver the equaliser in their Euro 2024 semi-final against France.

The Barcelona winger scored a sensational goal to level matters after Randal Kolo Muani gave Les Bleus an early 1-0 lead with an eighth-minute header. His performance on the pitch also earned him the Man of the Match accolade, after

the Spaniards went on to win 2-1.

Who is this Spanish sensation who is making headlines for his Euro 2024 feats?

1. Young history maker

Yamal’s strike in the 21st minute made him the youngest-ever goalscorer in the history of the European Championship. But the youngster already had a place in the history books even before Euro 2024.

The La Liga player became the league’s and Barcelona’s youngest goalscorer on Oct 8, 2023, scoring his maiden goal in a 2-2 draw against Granada.

His performance also earned him Tuttosport’s Golden Boy The Youngest accolade for 2023 as the youngest player nominated for the Under-21 award. Fittingly, he missed the ceremony as he had to go to school. He is in contention to clinch the Golden Boy title in 2024 – previous winners include Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

2. Sensational Euro debut

The young winger received his first international call-up to the senior team in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, making his debut in their 7-1 victory against Georgia, where he scored in the 74th minute.

His performance in the qualifying stages earned him a spot on the 26-man Euro 2024 squad – making him the youngest player to feature in the tournament.

3. Mini Messi

Yamal’s technical abilities and La Masia background have earned him comparisons to former Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

Both players also share a unique connection. A picture of Messi, then 20, cradling a six-month-old Yamal has recently surfaced online. It was taken during a calendar photoshoot in 2007 for a charity drive by a local newspaper and Unicef.

Yamal’s father posted the photo on Instagram last week, with the caption “The beginning of two legends”.

4. Juggling school and football

The teenager has also been working hard on his studies during the tournament, and he has a tutor who assigns him homework.

During Euro 2024, it was reported that he had passed his school exams and can now pursue the Spanish Baccalaureate, if he chooses to go to university.

5. Remembering his roots

Yamal grew up in Mataro, Catalonia, before moving to Barcelona with his family when he was seven.

His goal celebrations, making the number “304” with his fingers, is a tribute to his home town — the neighbourhood of Rocafonda in Mataro has the postal code 08304.