All You Need To Know About Lamine Yamal, The 16-Year-Old Wonderkid

Lamine Yamal broke multiple records as Spain booked their place in the Euro 2024 final following a 2-1 win over France. The 16-year-old sensation has been one of the key reasons behind Spain’s run to the finals. Lamine Yamal has made a long list of achievements in the ongoing tournament. It is worth mentioning that Yamal will turn 17 on Saturday, a day before the Euro final in Berlin. Spain will face either England or the Netherlands in the final on Sunday.

Lamine Yamal, the rising star in the soccer world, is the youngest player to score at the men's Euros at 16 years and 362 days old. This record was previously held by Swiss player Johan Vonlanthen (18 years, 141 days). Yamal, also the youngest player to play in a World Cup or Euros semi-final, registered the record as the first-ever teenager to provide three or more assists at a single European Championship. 

He also had a breakthrough season with Barcelona and only made his international debut in September 2023. Yamal has been with Barcelona’s youth team since age seven. Former Barcelona legend Xavier Hernandez handed Lamine Yamal his professional debut with Barcelona in April 2023 against Real Betis. On that occasion, Yamal was just 16 years and 38 days old. He was the youngest player ever to represent Barca.  

After an excellent 2022–23 campaign, the forward became a regular presence in the first team squad. Notably, Lamine Yamal can play as a striker, attacking midfielder, or on the right wing. In October 2023, Barcelona announced that Lamine Yamal had signed a new contract with the club, running until 2026, and the release clause in his contract was €1billion.