Spain’s forward Lamine Yamal was named Young Player of tournament after Spain’s 2-1 victory over England in the Euro 2024 final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday, July 14.
The Barcelona winger stood out during the European Championship, providing four assists, the highest in the tournament, and scoring a key goal against France in the semifinal. This goal made him the youngest player to score in a semifinal of a major men’s tournament.
“This is the best birthday present I could have; it’s a dream,” said Yamal after winning his first European Championship early in his career.
At just 17 years and one day, he became the youngest player to appear in the final of a men’s World Cup, European Championship, or Copa América.
He assisted Nico Williams for the first goal and exemplified Spain’s strong youth development, having come through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy.
Yamal received his first senior international call-up from Coach Luis de la Fuente on September 1, 2023, at the age of 16 years and 50 days, for UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers against Georgia and Cyprus. He made his senior debut against Georgia a week later, scoring in the 74th minute of a 7-1 victory.