Yamal – the Spanish prodigy has officially become the youngest player to compete at a Euro finals during the tournament’s 64-year history.

The European Championship (EURO) has seen a new record set in the tournament’s 64-year history. Spain’s Lamine Yamal has officially become the youngest player to ever play at a EURO finals.

Ahead of Spain’s Group B opener against Croatia, Barcelona forward Yamal has been confirmed as a starter for coach Luis de la Fuente. At 16 years and 338 days, Yamal has broken the previous record held by Poland’s Kacper Kozłowski at EURO 2020, when he played at the age of 17 years and 246 days.

Yamal officially became the youngest player ever to play in Euro history. Photo: Getty Images.

Kozlowski also surpassed Jude Bellingham’s record – the English player only held the record for 6 days after entering the field in the second half of the match against Croatia at EURO 2020. However, Bellingham is still the youngest scorer in the competition. EURO history when scoring in the quarterfinals against Ukraine at the age of 18 years and 4 days.

Starting at right-back in an attacking three alongside captain Alvaro Morata and Nico Williams, Yamal reached a new milestone in the most memorable season of his career.

Previously, the Spanish international also became the youngest player to play in the Champions League, when Barcelona met Porto at the beginning of the 2023-24 season, breaking the old record of Celestine Babayaro.

Lamine Yamal is a shining gem in the hands of Barca and the Spanish national team. Photo: Getty Images.

Since being called up by Spain coach Louis de la Fuente in September 2022, Yamal has scored 2 goals and provided 4 assists. His impressive performance has made La Roja captain Alvaro Morata very hopeful about this young talent.

In a recent interview, Morata praised: “It’s great to have Yamal playing with us. He brings something different. If he is lucky enough to avoid serious injuries, he will definitely become one of the best players in the world, because even though he is only 16 years old, Yamal has gone further than many other players.”

“Sometimes I think, Yamal seems not 16 years old but like 23-24 years old. Above all, we need to help him understand the importance of managing the match mentally and practically. Sometimes he He needs to slow down the game instead of trying to make something out of every situation, ” Morata added.

The first match in Group B Euro 2024 will be the confrontation between Yamal’s Spain team and Croatia. Photo: The Mirror.

“Yamal is a great dribbler and has great technique, but he needs to understand that in some games it is more important to maintain the current result than to attack.”

So far, the 16-year-old has scored 7 goals in 51 appearances for Barcelona. Yamal is also the youngest scorer in the history of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. Yamal’s appearance at EURO 2024 promises to be a bright future for Spanish football in the future.